Quebec drivers cautioned ahead of ‘deadliest’ busy travel season
Posted June 23, 2026 9:01 am.
Last Updated June 23, 2026 9:10 am.
CAA-Quebec is warning drivers ahead of what it calls is the deadliest period on Quebec roads – between Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Labour Day.
The organization is urging motorists to drive cautiously and follow safe driving practices on the eve of a busy travel season as 57 per cent of Quebecers surveyed by the company saying they planned to travel this summer.
Distracted driving and speeding were the leading cause of death, CAA-Quebec said in a news release.
According to data from the insurer, over 100 people were killed in collisions last year in the province, between June 24 and Labour Day. In 2024, there were 83 deaths, and in 2023, the death toll was 93 during the same period.
Deaths in the summer accounted for 60 per cent of deaths in Côte-Nord, 43 per cent in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
In Eastern Townships and Montérégie, about a third of all deaths from road collisions occurred during the period.
CAA-Quebec warns that apart from deaths and injuries, drunk driving could also result in arrests and fines of up to $10,000 upon conviction.
The organization shares the following tips for safe driving during the season:
- Share the road and be courteous to vulnerable users such as cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
- Increase your following distance to give yourself more time to react.
- Slow down and obey speed limits, especially in construction zones, and stay focused on the road. These are the most common causes of accidents.
- Remember that increasing your speed by just 20 km/h over 20 km only saves 2 minutes but increases fuel consumption by 15 per cent.
- When driving with trailers or recreational vehicles, stay alert to blind spots, and avoid excessive speeds to ensure sufficient braking time.
- Apply the five principles of visual scanning: look up and far ahead, expand your field of vision, keep your eyes moving, make sure you’re visible, and always leave yourself an out.
- Plan an alternative to driving if you intend to drink alcohol.
