This week marks Canada Road Safety Week, a national campaign aimed at making Canada's roads the safest in the world.

The campaign is a police initiative designed to remind people that an essential part of the enforcement component is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways.

The focus will be on behaviours that put drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users most at risk. These include impaired driving; either by alcohol and/or drugs, occupant seatbelt use, and all aspects related to aggressive and distracted driving.

All enforcement agencies across the country have been invited to participate.

"The deaths, pain and broken hearts that result from carelessness behind the wheel can be prevented," says Sgt. Grant RUSK with the Unity RCMP. "Police agencies across the country are collaborating on this initiative and asking you to choose safe behaviours while travelling on our roadways, whether you are driving or a passenger. It is incumbent upon the police and the public to work together to ensure that Canada’s roadways are the safest in the world."

In Unity, Wilkie and Macklin there have been 6 deaths and numerous serious injuries over the last few years related to vehicle collisions. It's easy to think of these stats as "just numbers", but the reality is that these preventable deaths and injuries have a lifelong impact on many individuals and families in our communities.

According to the Canadian Council of Motor Transportation Administrators, each year in Canada, about 2,000 people are killed and 165,000 are injured, (10,000 seriously), while using our road transportation system which costs society $37 billion (2.2% of Canadian GDP) annually.

Canada Road Safety Week is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and Transport Canada and is part of Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025, which has a goal of making Canada's roads the safest in the world by 2025.

Some safety tips to ensure you get to your destination safely:

  • Plan your route carefully to avoid driving unnecessary kilometres and share your route with those expecting your arrival.
  • Check weather and road conditions to and from the destination and allow enough time to reach your destination.
  • Slow to 60 km/h on Saskatchewan highways when passing emergency vehicles such as tow trucks, ambulances and law enforcement on duty helping other motorists.
  • Eliminate driver distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, adjusting radio dials, conversations and smoking.
  • Don’t drink and drive.
  • If you're overtired, stop regularly for breaks or appoint a second driver to help with driving.

If you follow all the above steps you'll give yourself the best chance to stay safe on the roads this summer.