It looks like the various education campaigns and increased police surveillance on the road are helping the province of Quebec post far better road safety stats over the first months of 2009.
The Partial Road Safety Report of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) shows a significant drop in the number of casualties on Quebec's roads. In January and February of this year, 69 people died following a car accident, a 20.7-percent decrease compared to the same period in 2008 and a 22-percent drop over the five-year average (2004-2008).
With regard to accidents involving serious injuries or requiring hospital care, the results are also encouraging. In 2009, 296 such accidents were recorded -- 7.2 percent below the previous year and 31.7 percent below the five-year average.
Fewer minor injuries
Victims of minor injuries are also following this downward trend, exactly 8.2 percent under last year's number.
When taking all types of accidents into account, the province boasts an 11.8-percent decrease compared to the five-year average.
"While Quebec's road safety stats show an improvement over the past two years, we must absolutely maintain our efforts to avoid fatalities and pain resulting from car accidents," said Julie Boulet, the Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister in charge of the Mauricie region.
The latest numbers are in line with those of 2008, which saw an overall improvement of 8 percent.
photo:MTQ, Jupiter Images
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| Julie Boulet, the Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister in charge of the Mauricie region (fourth from the left), today released encouraging data on road safety in Quebec. |
The Partial Road Safety Report of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) shows a significant drop in the number of casualties on Quebec's roads. In January and February of this year, 69 people died following a car accident, a 20.7-percent decrease compared to the same period in 2008 and a 22-percent drop over the five-year average (2004-2008).
With regard to accidents involving serious injuries or requiring hospital care, the results are also encouraging. In 2009, 296 such accidents were recorded -- 7.2 percent below the previous year and 31.7 percent below the five-year average.
Fewer minor injuries
Victims of minor injuries are also following this downward trend, exactly 8.2 percent under last year's number.
When taking all types of accidents into account, the province boasts an 11.8-percent decrease compared to the five-year average.
"While Quebec's road safety stats show an improvement over the past two years, we must absolutely maintain our efforts to avoid fatalities and pain resulting from car accidents," said Julie Boulet, the Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister in charge of the Mauricie region.
The latest numbers are in line with those of 2008, which saw an overall improvement of 8 percent.
photo:MTQ, Jupiter Images