Distracted drivers cause more collisions, injuries than drunk drivers: SGI
Although impaired drivers cause more fatalities on Saskatchewan roads than any other group, drivers using their cellphones are responsible for far more injuries and represent the leading cause of collisions across the province.
According to SGI, impaired drivers caused 54 deaths, 580 injuries and 1,183 collisions in 2015 (the most recent year with complete data available). In the same year distracted drivers were responsible for 36 fatalities, but caused 5,686 collisions which led to 802 injuries.
Impaired driving remains the number one cause of traffic fatalities in the province, accounting for nearly 45 per cent of all the deaths on Saskatchewan roads. Distracted driving is the second leading cause of fatalities and the leading cause of collisions.
SGI spokesperson Tyler McMurchy said both practices are highly irresponsible, but said the tendency of impaired drivers to ignore speed limits may contribute to the higher number of fatalities.