SQ urges long weekend driving caution

The Sûreté du Québec, Quebec’s provincial police force, began “Operation Longs Congés” on Thursday, aiming to promote responsible road safety behaviour in anticipation of the long holiday weekends of June 24 and July 1.

Until July 3, a larger than average number of police interventions targeting seat belt use, distractions, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be carried out. In some areas, air surveillance operations will take place with the objective of limiting delinquent behaviours.

"This is a time with many opportunities to make road users aware of offenses that are among the leading causes of accidents," said SQ manager Captain Paul Leduc.

Operation Longs Congés aims to raise awareness among road users to the importance of increased caution in the summer period when traveling increases significantly. During this period, the Sûreté du Québec and its partners are requesting the collaboration of families and friends in reminding drivers of the risks of certain behaviors such as the use of cell phones while driving, or failure to wear a seat belt, even for a few moments, and speeding. In parallel with the intensification of intervention on the ground, the Sûreté du Québec will continue its activities to raise awareness on social media, by inviting people to share their tips to remind drivers to focus on their driving using the hashtag #longscongés.

Each year, these behaviors lead to collisions causing death or serious injury that brutally end the holidays and lives of a too-large number of families.