Carlyle RCMP had an ugly day Saturday. Within the space of a few hours members responded to two fatal vehicle accidents.
The first was a single vehicle crash at about 12:30 a.m. A woman driver and a man who was a passenger were ejected from the vehicle and the man died. The driver and another male passenger, who was not ejected, were transported to hospital.
Half a day later at 12:15 p.m. members of the detachment were called to a multiple vehicle collision. A car stopped on the highway to make a turn was struck from behind and pushed into oncoming traffic. Two people died and two were injured.
It seems reports of deadly crashes are an almost daily occurrence among the email I receive from RCMP around the province.
The first crash described has me scratching my head in amazement there are still people out there who refuse to wear seatbelts. How can an action that is purely automatic to most of us, be seen by others as an unnecessary precaution when travelling in a vehicle?
The rising death toll on highways this winter highlights the need for caution, patience and above all, paying attention when the Saskatchewan Highways Hotline advises against travel in certain areas. I made the blunder of taking an impulsive trip to Saskatoon on a recent Sunday without thinking to check the weather or highway conditions. As a result I found myself travelling Highway 16 when travel was not advised and it was not an enjoyable outing.
Part of the angst I endured was caused by those who refused to accept the reduced speed such conditions dictated, taking chances that put everyone on the road in danger.
Winter is far from over. Road conditions are going to be variable for many weeks yet. Let's try to develop the patience and caution needed to keep everyone on the highways safe.
