Travellers head west on the Trans-Canada Highway Friday morning - Photo by Bob Schneider

By Charles Lefebvre

Road safety

RCMP focusing on road safety for long weekend

Oct 11, 2019 | 3:48 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — RCMP will be out in full force this Thanksgiving long weekend, reminding motorists that they need to use caution on Alberta highways.

RCMP are participating in Operation Impact, an annual awareness campaign reminding drivers about the need to practice proper driving habits.

Corporal Shane Ryan with Redcliff RCMP says there will be more enforcement on the road this weekend from officers in the area, with several areas of focus.

“We’re going to focus on the things which cause the most danger to the public,” he said.
“That’s speed, impaired driving from drugs or alcohol, distracted driving, and the use of seatbelts.”

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Ryan says with an expected increase in traffic, patience is key for drivers to ensure they drive at their destination safely and avoid collisions.

“It’s when people get impatient that they’ll sometimes take risks that they won’t normally take,” he said. “Those risks often time lead to a collision, and ultimately to damage to property and people, and sometimes death.”

According to a release from the RCMP, during the 2018 Thanksgiving long weekend, officers responded to 410 collisions on Alberta highways. Three people were killed and 50 others were injured.

Ryan adds drivers need to ensure their vehicles remain in good working order before they hit the road, and to keep an eye on the weather forecasts. He says drivers should consider postponing their trips if severe weather occurs.