Eighteen people lost their lives on Quebec’s roads during the construction industry holidays, according to figures released on Monday. These deaths occurred in 15 collisions over the past two weeks, according to the Quebec auto insurance board (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec - SAAQ), the provincial police (SQ) and the Association des directeurs de police du Québec (ADPQ). This represents a decrease in the number of deaths compared with the previous year, the organizations said. In 2025, 25 people lost their lives on Quebec’s roads during the construction holiday period, in addition to five others on the recreational and tourist network. This was the worst toll in 10 years on the network patrolled by the SQ. This year, a significant number of motorcyclists were involved in accidents – six out of the 15 collisions recorded, according to a preliminary analysis. “Investigations carried out to date also show that, in all of these collisions, at least one human factor was involved,” the report stated. The main factors contributing to fatal collisions remain excessive or inappropriate speed, distraction and impaired driving, the organizations reiterated. “Behind every life lost on our roads, there are parents, loved ones, friends and colleagues who must come to terms with a reality that has been forever changed,” Chief Inspector Jonathan Ménard, Director of the SQ’s Advisory and Support Division, said in a press release. “These tragedies remind us that road safety is a collective responsibility,” he added. The SAAQ, the SQ and the ADPQ have called on road users to adopt safe and responsible behaviour, as many journeys are still to be made over the coming weeks. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 3, 2026.
