Saskatchewan RCMP have issued a stark warning to drivers after reporting a dramatic and concerning rise in fatal collisions on provincial roads throughout November.
A Sharp and Alarming Increase
According to a news release from the RCMP, there were 11 fatal collisions between November 1 and November 25. This represents a shocking 175 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. These tragic incidents resulted in 11 deaths, marking a 37.5 per cent increase in fatalities from November 2024, when four collisions claimed eight lives.
The month was particularly devastating during a seven-day span, where seven of the deaths occurred. Police emphasized that weather was only a contributing factor in two of the incidents.
Preventable Factors Behind the Tragedies
An "astounding majority" of these fatal crashes involved elements that were entirely preventable, according to Saskatchewan RCMP Staff Sgt. Jason Sauve.
"We keep repeating the same road safety messages continually because we see the role played by these factors every time we attend the scene of a fatal collision," Sauve stated. The primary culprits remain the "big four" risky driving behaviours: failure to wear a seatbelt, speeding, impairment by drug or alcohol, and driver distraction.
Sauve added, "We see how wearing a seatbelt, not driving impaired, not speeding, or staying focused on the road may have prevented these deaths."
Year-to-Date Statistics and a Plea for Safety
The November spike contributes to a grim annual tally. From January 1 to November 25, RCMP responded to 89 fatal motor-vehicle collisions that resulted in 94 deaths. This is an increase of 32.8 per cent in collisions and 23.7 per cent in fatalities compared to the same timeframe in 2024, when 67 collisions led to 76 deaths.
These statistics do not include incidents on private property, in other police jurisdictions, off-road crashes, or collisions caused by medical emergencies. The RCMP noted that these tragic events have a profound and lasting impact on everyone involved, from first responders to families and communities.
In their release, the RCMP reaffirmed their commitment to public safety messaging, stating, "If us repeating safety messages can help prevent us from having to respond to one fatal collision call — we will continue to share them." The warning comes as RCMP officers also dealt with approximately 55 weather-related highway incidents on a single Friday in the province, highlighting the ever-present dangers on the road.
