MONTREAL—The number of deadly crashes on provincial highways continues to fall, new figures released by the Surete du Quebec on Thursday show the number of fatal collisions is down 40 per cent since 2006.
However, it's not all good news: A disproportionate number of young drivers are being killed.
While 16 to 24-year-olds represent just 10 per cent of all licence holders in Quebec, they represent more than a quarter of all road fatalities.
“When you're young you're reckless, you think you're invincible and you say it will not happen to me. Well unfortunately it does happen to you,” said Capt. Paul Leduc of the SQ.
Radar operations and tickets do encourage drivers to slow down and drive safer.
“The fear of being caught is very important but it can't only be that. It also has to be publicity, education,” Leduc continued.
To drive the point home, the SQ displayed the remains of a car at this year's Montreal car show. Two young men died in the car last year in Drummondville when they spun out of control.
“They saw the actual car that was crushed and it spoke to a lot of them,” said Leduce.
Driving instructor Andrew Matthews says getting through to some young drivers is a challenge.
“I bumped into one of my former students the other day at John Abbott College. He said, ‘Hi Andrew, I got a ticket the other day.’ So I said ‘Oh, why am I not surprised? What for.’ Doing 80 on St-John's Blvd. where it's 50,” said Matthews of Morty’s Driving School.
Mathews thinks the reintroduction of mandatory driver's education three years ago has helped make the roads safer. The SQ hopes the overall low number of highway deaths is a sign drivers attitudes are changing for the better.
