With summer travel increasing across the province, the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Combined Traffic Services (CTSS) are conducting their annual traffic stops to ensure everyone on the road stays safe.
Constable (Cst.) Mario Chabot of the Rosetown CTSS says road safety remains a top priority for police as traffic increases during the summer months, with many residents and visitors heading out camping and travelling across the province.
"Road safety is a top priority for Saskatchewan RCMP and every year traffic seems to be increasing and then right now with summer, increased traffic, people going camping." Chabot explained in an interview. "We want to be out here to make sure that everybody is safe from people visiting our province to our residents,”
During these stops, officers check that motorists are following the rules of the road, including not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and ensuring vehicles and trailers are road safe. Chabot also highlighted the importance of safety checks during these busy months, particularly for those travelling with large items.
“We also want to make sure that everybody is ready to go. That also means their vehicles, their campers, everything’s roadworthy." Chabot said. "This means we're checking safety, making sure that large items like bicycles are properly secured, making sure the brake lights and everything else is in proper working order."
The importance of seat belt use cannot be overstated, according to Chabot. Saskatchewan has seen a deadly start to 2025 on its roads, with 40 motor vehicle deaths between January and May alone.
“2025 has been a very deadly year on our roads in Saskatchewan. 17 of these (deaths) were a direct result of somebody not wearing their seatbelt,” Chabot said.
This year’s traffic stops are conducted in partnership with other agencies, including the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol and the Saskatoon Police Service, which provide additional resources to ensure efficient and thorough checks.
The annual traffic stops serve as a reminder for motorists to stay vigilant and prioritize safety on Saskatchewan’s busy summer roads.