Quebec needs to do more to help young drivers avoid driving Old age or tires that are too worn, a coroner estimates in a recent report into the deaths of a couple in Outaouais last winter.
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One evening in January 2023, Selena Vigeant, a 21-year-old driver, and Tyler Collins, her 22-year-old boyfriend, were returning from grocery shopping when their lives were taken.
Selena Vigeant, deceased Photo from Selena Vigeant's Facebook
The lovers were traveling north on Route 105 in the Farrellton sector of the small community of La Pêche before they swerved and hit a Ford F-150 traveling in the opposite direction.
Both occupants of the truck suffered life-threatening injuries, but the young couple had no chance.
Tyler Collins, deceased Photo from Tyler Collins' Facebook account
At the end of her investigation, coroner Marie Pinault cited various causes for the tragedy, which, among other things, forced her to alert the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
Extreme wear and tear, cannabis and inexperience
A mechanical inspection initially revealed that the Jetta driven by Ms. Vigeant was “not in good condition.”
The all-season tires were “extremely worn and non-compliant,” with two of them showing zero depth at 0 millimeters.
The brakes needed replacing and “the structure failed due to rust.”
Nothing helped, a layer of black ice covered the road after it had cooled down significantly at the end of the day.
According to coroner Pinault, the young woman's inexperience may also have played a role, especially since the presence of cannabis in her blood suggests that “her reflexes may have diminished.”
Selena Vigeant feared the oncoming vehicle would overtake her and lost control of her steering wheel.
Zero tolerance
Therefore, in Dr. Pinault, in collaboration with the police, “intensify their efforts” on drug-related impairments.
It suggests “awareness and control activities” for drivers under 21 years of age.
In addition, SAAQ is encouraged to continue to integrate the importance of driving a roadworthy vehicle into its prevention campaigns.
At the root
At the same time, drivers must be aware of the “risk of loss of control on wet or slippery roads.”
“This message must be taken up by all driving schools in particular,” writes Dr. Pinault.
The SAAQ assures the Journal that drug-driving is one of its road safety priorities.
The state-owned company adds that driving schools “have a responsibility to address these issues with future drivers and educate them about the risks of neglecting vehicle maintenance.”
Finally, Dr. Pinault to the Ministry of Transport (MTQ) to ensure that the necessary teams are sent to the road sections where abrasives are required when road conditions require it.
Winter maintenance is organized according to the type of road, traffic flow and several other constraints, commented the MTQ, which said it pays “particular attention” to the coroner's recommendations following an accident on its route network.
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