Sûreté du Québec issues road safety warning as construction holiday begins
Half a day into Quebec's annual provincewide vacation period, 2 men die in separate road collisions
Quebec provincial police are urging road users to be extra careful as the construction holiday begins.
There have already been two deadly crashes, including one involving a motorcycle.
A 67-year-old man died Saturday morning after his motorcycle crashed into a truck near Quebec City.
It happened around 6:30 a.m. on the service road of Highway 440 eastbound, near the approach to the Highway 740.
SQ spokesperson Sgt. Ann Mathieu said it appears the motorcycle's driver tried to pass the truck and lost control.
The victim, who is from Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, about 25 kilometres southwest of Quebec City, was stuck under the truck and died of his injuries.
Police are reminding motorcyclists to take extra precautions, including wearing regulation helmets and light colours, because they are more vulnerable on the road.
Motorists are also being asked to check their blind spots and be extra vigilant around motorcycles.
The SQ said there have been 13 fatal collisions involving motorcycles have been reported on the territory it patrols since the start of the riding season.
Another collision involving a motorcyle injured a couple in their 60s, who were riding on Chemin Saxby at the height of Route 122 in Shefford, the SQ said.
The accident happened at around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and police said their injuries are not life-threatening.
1 man dead, 1 seriously injured in crash
Earlier in the morning on Saturday, a 21-year-old man died when the vehicle he was in crashed into a Hydro-Québec pole.
The collision happened around 4:30 a.m. on des Érables Street in Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon, about 35 kilometres south of Quebec City.
The driver, a 25-year-old man, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Police are not ruling out alcohol as a factor in the crash.
Last year during the two-week construction holiday, 11 people died on roads patrolled by the SQ.
Police say motorists should plan their trips, avoid distractions and be patient on the roads.
And the Transport Ministry is warning drivers that even if there are no workers at a construction site, reduced speed limits are still in effect.