RCMP crunch numbers for report showing most road deaths in P.E.I. are preventable
Nicola MacLeod, Stephen Brun | CBC News | Posted: November 5, 2024 7:02 PM | Last Updated: November 5
68 crashes caused 80 deaths over the last 5 years, statistics compiled by force show
The RCMP are using a new report into the causes of deaths on Prince Edward Island roads to better inform how they will conduct policing in the future.
The report looks at fatal crashes in the province in areas of RCMP jurisdiction from Jan. 1, 2019, to Oct. 31 this year, and comes after a recent cluster of road crash deaths. Its statistics do not include Charlottetown, Summerside or Kensington, which have their own police forces.
The RCMP also produced a map of certain spots where fatal collisions could be more likely — notably in the Tignish, Summerfield, Vernon River and Cardigan areas.
"The map does highlight some locations where there are slightly more fatal collisions than other parts of the Island," said Cpl. Gavin Moore, media relations officer for the RCMP in the province.
"With that information, our officers who patrol those areas are informed, as well as traffic services, to try and address these areas to speak to any additional risks that may come from that."
We incarcerate our first-time impaired drivers, which no other province does, but we still have incidents of impaired driving, but it's not going away. — Public Safety and Justice Minister Bloyce Thompson
The RCMP statistics show 68 crashes caused a total of 80 deaths in those five years.
Officials identified several trends in the data, including:
- 60 of the crashes that led to deaths were single-vehicle collisions.
- Half occurred in Prince County.
- Seatbelts were not worn in 35 per cent of cases where people died.
- Drinking and driving or drugs were a factor in 34 per cent of the incidents.
- 26 per cent involved speeding.
The RCMP report also shows collisions have tended to increase slightly during the summer tourism season.
Winter less often a factor
There are also areas where P.E.I. bucks national trends.
The Island averages fewer deadly crashes when winter weather is a factor, and fewer incidents of distracted driving causing death — though police admit texting and driving can be difficult to prove after an accident.
There have been 12 deaths on Island roads so far this year. The annual average is between 11 and 12.
Police say the best thing Islanders can do is to remain diligent about impaired driving, seatbelts and speeding, particularly going into the holidays.
Impaired driving 'not going away'
This year, the province funded four more RCMP officers to work with the provincewide traffic unit, bringing that team to a complement of six.
Bloyce Thompson, P.E.I.'s justice and public safety minister, said the statistics on impaired driving are a particular concern. He said the province continues to work on stricter enforcement and harsher penalties.
"This year we mandated our RCMP to put a priority on impaired driving and to catch more impaired drivers," Thompson said.
"We have the stiffest penalties in Canada. We incarcerate our first-time impaired drivers, which no other province does, but we still have incidents of impaired driving, but it's not going away."
Police say the public can help by calling 911 to report any suspected impaired drivers.
"As long as there are fatalities on our roadways connected to impaired driving, it is a problem that needs to be addressed," Moore said.
"Sadly there are always going to be those who make a poor choice, but by doing additional enforcement and having our presence known, we hope that when people are going to make this choice, they have in their minds the very real possibility they may get caught."