Saskatchewan RCMP are raising concerns after a recent increase in fatal collisions across the province, with 17 people killed in 12 crashes between July 10 and July 21.
According to RCMP, half of those fatal collisions involved alcohol and/or drugs as a contributing factor.
The crashes occurred in several detachment areas, including North Battleford, Spiritwood, Kamsack, Prince Albert, Nipawin, Outlook, Lumsden, Rosthern, Maple Creek, Swift Current Rural/Morse and Beauval.
RCMP Traffic Services Operations Officer Inspector Lee Knelsen said officers have been responding to an increasing number of fatal collisions this summer.
From June 1 to July 22, Saskatchewan RCMP responded to 23 fatal collisions resulting in 27 deaths.
During the same period last year, RCMP reported 13 fatal collisions and 13 deaths. The current figures represent a 77 per cent increase in fatal collisions and a 108 per cent increase in the number of lives lost.
RCMP data also shows an increase in impairment-related fatal collisions.
During the first six months of 2025, 35 per cent of fatal collisions involved alcohol and/or drugs as a contributing factor.
During the same period in 2026, that figure rose to 52 per cent.
Inspector Knelsen reminded everyone that the four leading contributors to fatal collisions in Saskatchewan remain seatbelt use, speed, impairment and distracted driving.
“To be clear, these are not just numbers. They represent lives lost, and these numbers are increasing. We urge everyone to make safe decisions every time they get behind the wheel.
In Saskatchewan, the same four factors contribute to fatal collisions on our roads: seatbelts, speed, impairment and distracted driving.
Please, put your seatbelt on, respect speed limits, don’t take drugs and/or alcohol when you know you have to drive, and pay attention to your surrounding at all times. It can save your life, and someone else’s life. Thank you,” Inspector Lee Knelsen
The statistics do not include collisions investigated by municipal police services, incidents on private property, off-road crashes or medical emergencies.