By Brittney Matejka

Labour Day long weekend and back to school warnings for drivers

Sep 1, 2017 | 5:25 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB. – The Labour Day weekend is the last long weekend of summer and RCMP are already seeing an increase in traffic on highways across Alberta.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Sean Maxwell says Mounties expect an increase in the number of people travelling over the next few days.

“We just always ask the public to give themselves plenty of time to get where they need to be going, exercise some patience and make sure that they understand that the highway and secondary roads, to and from where they are going could be busier than they normally are. We just want people to plan accordingly,” he said.

Over the Labour Day long weekend last year, 563 people were injured and 3 people were killed on Alberta roads. Maxwell advises drivers to maintain speed limits and avoid getting behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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“We worry that there are more people out there taking risks than they they should be doing,” he explained.

Following the long weekend, Tuesday morning kids are heading back to class, Cst. David Chow, Medicine Hat Police reminds drivers to on the lookout.

“The kids will be out and about , walking to school, riding to school, taking the bus and be aware that there will be buses on the street,” he said.

Chow said to expect an increase in traffic during your commute, as parents will be dropping off their children at school.

“People want to find the best place to drop off their child and they have to work with the parking that’s available but not at the cost of the safety of other kids and their own kids,” he said.

School zones are in effect all year round and run from 7:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.