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Saskatchewan drivers are being urged to slow down, avoid distractions, and watch for wildlife as they travel over Thanksgiving weekend. Increased traffic, earlier darkness, and seasonal wildlife activity can add to the risks on the road.
Operations Officer for Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services, Inspector Lee Knelson, said drivers can take simple steps to reduce their risk of a collision.
“Safe driving behaviours can save your life. I’ll boil it down to those four easy things that we all can do: don’t drive impaired. If you wonder if you’re impaired, you probably are. When you drive, put away that cell phone, put your seatbelt on and slow down.”
2026 saw a 50 per cent increase in collision fatalities compared to 2025. Knelson said speed and impairment were the primary contributing factors.
“Speed is a contributing factor in almost 48 per cent, almost half, of our fatalities on the roadways, which is followed by 45 per cent [involving] impairment. We have pushed out that message in regard to unsafe driving behaviours.”
Knelson said RCMP officers continue to enforce traffic laws, but drivers also need to take steps to prevent collisions.
Wildlife is another concern for drivers travelling on Saskatchewan highways this weekend. SGI manager of media relations Regan Tate said October is the province’s peak season for wildlife activity because it coincides with mating season.
The five-year average for wildlife-related collisions in Saskatchewan is 8,800, resulting in more than 400 injuries and an average of two fatalities each year.
“We really want drivers to be aware that they’re more likely to encounter wildlife on highways and rural roads around this time.”
Drivers should be especially alert at dawn and dusk.
“At dawn, we often get the glare from the sun, our visibility is reduced, so it really makes it difficult to see wildlife approaching the road,” Tate said. “It gets darker earlier, it’s so much harder to see any animals that may be about to cross in front of you. We advise drivers, it’s always a good idea to keep your eyes on the road for glowing eyes in the distance at night.”
While some collisions with wildlife cannot be avoided, SGI says drivers should slow down and steer toward where the animal came from, rather than where it is going. If a collision occurs and the vehicle remains drivable, drivers should pull onto the shoulder, turn on their hazard lights and assess the damage.
Drivers should not approach an injured animal, as wounded wildlife can be dangerous. If the vehicle is not drivable, drivers should contact their local police service or RCMP detachment.
