Police asking drivers to be careful after 9 killed in Quebec road crashes

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) is urging drivers to be more careful after nine people died in road crashes this past weekend.

According to Quebec provincial police, four motorcyclists and five automobiles were involved in nine separate fatal accidents between Friday afternoon and Sunday night throughout the province.

Since the start of 2020, the SQ says 123 fatal collisions have occurred throughout Quebec. “Speed and reckless driving” remain as the leading causes of fatal accidents.

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Police say reduced ridership because of the pandemic on Quebec roads should have resulted in less accidents but the 123 fatal collisions are higher than this time last year, when there were 115.

Depuis vendredi midi, 9 personnes, dont 4 #motocyclistes ont perdu la vie sur nos routes principalement à cause de la vitesse et de l’inexpérience. Automobilistes : Faites vos angles morts. Soyez vigilants. #SécuritéRoutière #OnSauveDesVies pic.twitter.com/ZaZM2srfs3

— Sûreté du Québec (@sureteduquebec) August 17, 2020

The SQ is urging motorcyclists to respect the speed limit and remain vigilant since they can “surprise” other drivers. Drivers in cars should routinely check their blind spots and remember that motorcycles are the most vulnerable drivers on the road.

Police say distraction, impaired driving, and not wearing a seat belts remain among the leading causes of road crashes in Quebec.