Construction holiday begins as Sûreté du Québec steps up patrols on deadly roads

Quebec's annual construction holiday begins this weekend, bringing roughly one-third of the province onto the roads over the next two weeks. Last year, there were 38 deaths in 30 collisions during the same period — among the deadliest on Quebec roads.

The Sûreté du Québec says it will increase patrols across the province through August 2, focusing on the leading causes of fatal collisions: speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, and seatbelt use. "On the roads, police officers will be more present to hold operations," said Joyce Kemp, lieutenant in the communications department with the SQ.

Road safety advocates say the danger spike stems from a combination of factors. More Quebecers are vacationing within the province rather than heading south, increasing traffic. Summer's shortness pushes people to cram in activities, fatigue sets in, and some drink too much. Trailers and campers change driving conditions. "The summertime is so short in Quebec people tend to cram in a lot of different activities and sometimes people are tired, people drink too much," said André Durocher, director of the CAA-Québec Foundation for Road Safety.

The SQ emphasizes that most fatal collisions are avoidable. "In most of the collisions, there is almost always a human decision that is behind it," Kemp said. Slowing down, focusing, eliminating distraction, and planning ahead are the basics.