Saskatchewan legislative committee to review safety after deadly year on roads

REGINA – A new committee is to look at ways to improve traffic safety after a deadly year on Saskatchewan roads.

A motion has passed in the legislature creating the committee with five government and two opposition politicians.

It is to look at ways to reduce the number of accidents, injuries and deaths caused by impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, wildlife and intersections.

Meetings are to be held throughout the province over the next few months with a final report due by Aug. 30.

Officials have said 2012 was the deadliest year ever on Saskatchewan highways with 175 traffic deaths.

Saskatchewan Government Insurance, or SGI, has said the top two causes were distracted driving and drunk driving.

“Everyone in Saskatchewan would like to see fewer accidents, injuries and deaths on Saskatchewan highways, so it makes sense that this is an area where members on both sides of the assembly can work together toward a common goal of improving traffic safety,” said MLA Darryl Hickie, legislative secretary to the minister responsible for SGI.