The number of deaths on Montérégie roads occurring in 2023 is up 19.1% compared to the average observed from 2018 to 2022, according to a report prepared by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). The national average is 7.5%.
The 61 deaths occurring on the roads make Montérégie the region with the worst death toll in the entire province in 2023. The figure is up 22% compared to last year.
However, the results remain positive for the SAAQ, which counts 186 people seriously injured in the region, a decrease of 6.8% compared to the average of the last five years. The number of people with minor injuries, which stood at 4,320, also decreased by 12.4%.
Concerning all victims, 4,567 people suffered bodily injury in a road collision in 2023, or 11.9% less compared to the average from 2018 to 2022.
“The improvement in the road safety record is proof that awareness, combined with police control and strengthening of legislation, brings about a change in behavior among the Quebec population,” says Éric Ducharme, CEO of the SAAQ. I want to salute the contribution and efforts of our various partners, particularly those of Quebec police forces. It is the sum of actions that makes it possible to reduce the number of victims. We must continue on this path.”
In Quebec
Across the province, it is the increase in deaths among young people aged 15 to 24 that is attracting attention, this having increased by 37.1% compared to the average of the last five years.
As for accidents involving pedestrians, the SAAQ nevertheless notes a drop in deaths among pedestrians, going from 82 to 63 since last year, a drop of 23.2%. Even if the results are positive, the organization Piétons Québec believes that “each death is an avoidable tragedy”.
“Although the number of deaths has decreased, let us remember that 2022 was marked by the worst death toll for pedestrians in 15 years,” said Director General Sandrine Cabana-Degani. […] These 63 lives lost are all reasons to increase efforts to improve the safety of people who travel on foot in Quebec. The government of Quebec and municipalities must prioritize the application of the Vision zero deaths and serious injuries approach, in particular by reducing speeds, but also the number and size of vehicles on our roads.”
It is on this last aspect that the organization would like more details in the SAAQ report. Piétons Québec considers that “the increase in the number, size and weight of vehicles on the road is worrying” and that “the current road report does not distinguish light trucks from automobiles.”
“The impact of light trucks on collisions with the most vulnerable people must be measured in the next SAAQ road reports,” believes Ms. Cabana-Degani. It’s difficult to act on what you don’t measure.”
