Canada Day is a great occasion for Albertans to hit the roads and enjoy the long weekend festivities. The Alberta RCMP reminds all road users that #SummerSafety is a shared responsibility. Together, the RCMP and Provincial Sheriffs fight impaired driving to help Canadians celebrate safely and responsibly.
In anticipation of the upcoming legalisation of recreational cannabis, it is important to keep in mind that driving impaired by any substance, such as drugs, and even fatigue, is still impaired driving. Impairment by drugs or fatigue is just as dangerous as impairment by alcohol.
Throughout Canada Day long weekend in 2017 (June 30-July 3), seven people lost their lives in six motor vehicle collisions in Alberta RCMP jurisdiction. No one should ever have to go through the pain of losing a loved one, or see them suffer from serious injuries due to a collision. The numbers are alarming: Impairment by alcohol was believed to be a factor in two thirds of the collisions.
In 2016, the month of July recorded the largest proportion of alcohol-involved casualty collisions across Alberta. During the same year, Friday, a day many Canadians leave for weekend trips was the most collision-prone day of the week. Moreover, the highest number of alcohol-involved fatal collisions occurred on Sunday, when many Canadians head back home. (Alberta Transportation)
Supt. Rick Gardner, Alberta Traffic Sheriffs, says, "We remind Albertans that driving while impaired is never okay." Supt. Gardner adds that "Our collaboration with RCMP officers ensures that Albertans make the right, good and safe driving decisions."
As all road users are prone to collisions, here are some road user-specific #SummerSafety tips:
- We encourage bicyclists to always obey traffic signals and yield right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections. Cyclists were more likely to disobey these rules, compared to operators of all vehicles involved in casualty collisions in 2016. (Alberta Transportation)
- When you find yourself in a construction zone, always slow down to ensure the safety of drivers, riders and workers.
- In Alberta, summertime implies more off-highway vehicles on the roads. If you use a trailer, make sure it is fully fastened, the lights, hitch, hook, wheels and brakes are working and tires are in good condition.
Supt. Gary Graham, Alberta RCMP Traffic Services, says, "We all have a responsibility to ensure our roads are safe for all users, especially during Canada Day long weekend when we expect increased traffic volumes." Supt. Graham adds that "Our invaluable partnership with Alberta Sheriffs helps us work diligently to keep drugs and impaired drivers off Alberta roads."
Alberta RCMP Traffic Services such as Roving Traffic Units (RTU) go beyond promoting highway safety through enforcement activities. RTUs are also actively targeting traveling criminals. For example, on June 10, RTU members on patrol initiated a traffic stop on Highway 1, near Canmore, Alberta, which led to the seizure of over 35 lbs of cannabis estimated at over $160,000.
We will continue to work very closely with Alberta Sheriffs and other law enforcement and safety partners to ensure Albertans make the right #SummerSafety driving decisions and to further reduce crime in Alberta. Follow our #SummerSafety tips on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and Twitter @RCMPAlberta.