Alberta RCMP urges highway safety ahead of Heritage Day long weekend
Police are urging caution and sobriety on Alberta's roads following a series of fatal collisions in the region. Extra patrols will be deployed to target distractions and impaired driving.
Alberta RCMP urges highway safety ahead of Heritage Day long weekend
The Alberta RCMP is calling on drivers to exercise caution and maintain sobriety on the roads during the upcoming Heritage Day long weekend. To combat the risks associated with increased summer travel, officers will be deployed for extra patrols across the province.
Police noted that the summer season typically brings a rise in traffic volume, higher speeds, and a higher frequency of crashes. The risk is further compounded by a greater number of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists sharing the highways.
A primary concern for authorities is impaired driving. According to the RCMP, drugs and alcohol cloud a driver's judgment and slow reaction times. Officers are urging travelers to plan safe transportation home before they depart.
Beyond sobriety, the RCMP warned against distractions behind the wheel. Specific hazards identified by police include:
- Texting
- Eating
- Grooming
- Adjusting GPS devices
Authorities reminded the public that speed limits represent the maximum allowable speed under ideal conditions. Drivers are suggested to reduce their speed when encountering heavy traffic, gravel roads, or rain. Additional safety recommendations include wearing seatbelts, checking blind spots for other road users, and informing friends or family of planned routes for longer trips.
"No one is the exception when it comes to road safety,"
Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, Alberta RCMP Traffic Services
Sgt. Turnbull urged drivers to make safe choices whether they are traveling across town or across the province and instructed the public to call 911 immediately if they witness dangerous driving.
This safety push follows a series of fatal incidents in the region. On July 30, an SUV struck a parked semi on Highway 1 near Piapot, resulting in the deaths of three people from Estevan, Sask., and leaving a fourth person seriously injured.
The danger extends across provincial borders. Saskatchewan RCMP reported 12 fatal collisions between July 10 and July 21, which resulted in 21 deaths. Half of those collisions involved drugs or alcohol. Within that total, three deaths occurred in the Maple Creek area.
Local enforcement has already begun taking preventative measures. In Medicine Hat, Alberta Sheriffs Highway Patrol and city police conducted joint check stops recently to target dangerous and impaired driving behavior.
