Quebec construction holiday road deaths fall from 2025 high but remain largely preventable
Quebec construction holiday road deaths declined from 35 in 2025 but remain largely preventable, say SAAQ, SQ and ADPQ as they urge safer driving now.
This year’s two‑week construction holiday in Quebec saw fewer fatalities than the record high recorded in 2025, but provincial partners say the toll is still unacceptable. Early investigations by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and the Association des directeurs de police du Québec (ADPQ) found human error in the majority of fatal collisions. Authorities are urging motorists to change behaviour on highways and local roads to prevent more family tragedies.
Provincial agencies report fewer deaths than 2025
The SAAQ confirmed that the province did not match last year’s unusually high number of fatalities, when 35 people died during the same construction holiday period in 2025. Officials described the reduction as a relief but stressed that any loss of life on the roads remains too many. The SAAQ and its partners emphasize that a single year of improvement does not erase the need for continued vigilance and enforcement.
Investigations point to human factors in most crashes
Preliminary inquiries into the recent incidents indicate that at least one human factor — such as speed, distraction or impaired driving — contributed to most collisions. SAAQ spokesperson Simon‑Pierre Poulin said investigators identified 15 collisions of note during the holiday period and that the causes were largely preventable. Police and road‑safety experts underline that these are not random events but the result of choices made behind the wheel.
Speed, distraction and impairment remain focus areas
Officials singled out excessive speed, in‑vehicle distraction and driving under the influence as recurrent problems in the analyzed crashes. Those factors frequently interact and multiply risk, according to communications from the SQ and the ADPQ. Law enforcement agencies said targeted checks and public education campaigns this summer have likely helped, while acknowledging more work is required to change risky driving habits.
Community and family impacts emphasized by police leadership
Inspector‑Chief Jonathan Ménard of the SQ’s Direction conseil et soutien à la gendarmerie stressed the wider human impact of each death on the road. He noted that behind every statistic are parents, partners, friends and colleagues whose lives are permanently altered. Police statements called for collective responsibility and urged communities to hold one another accountable for safer travel behaviour.
Traffic safety groups point to progress and gaps
The ADPQ highlighted that the majority of Quebec drivers continue to drive safely, and that public campaigns and policing have produced measurable improvements. Louise Bonneau, who leads road‑safety efforts at the ADPQ, attributed some of the decline in deaths to those ongoing interventions. Yet she warned that the persistence of preventable fatal collisions shows gaps remain in public awareness and compliance.
Officials caution that summer risks are not over
Authorities reminded travellers that the summer season is still underway and that vacations and longer trips continue to increase traffic volumes. The SAAQ urged drivers to plan trips, respect speed limits, avoid distractions and not drive after consuming alcohol or drugs. Officials also encouraged families and friends to intervene when they see someone preparing to drive in an unsafe condition.
Public messaging from the SAAQ, SQ and ADPQ combined enforcement and prevention, aiming to reach drivers before they hit the road. Authorities said consistent enforcement of impaired‑driving laws and speed limits, together with community awareness efforts, are essential to reduce fatalities. They reiterated that improvements must be sustained beyond a single holiday period to change long‑term trends.
The agencies called on employers, community leaders and media to reinforce safety messages ahead of busy travel weekends. They recommended simple, concrete actions: designate a sober driver, keep mobile devices out of reach while driving, and allow extra travel time to avoid speeding. Police also signalled that high‑visibility checkpoints and targeted patrols will continue to deter the most dangerous behaviours.
Despite the decline from the 2025 peak, officials described the number of deaths as preventable losses that demand continued attention. They urged motorists across Quebec to treat road safety as a shared responsibility that protects individuals and entire communities.
