Sign up for our free daily newsletter!

RCMP and Sheriffs looking to keep highways safe Canada Day long weekend

Jun 30, 2018 | 10:47 AM

RCMP are urging motorists all across Alberta to make this Canada Day long weekend a safe one.

Mounties say summer safety is a shared responsibility and together with Alberta Sheriffs, will be looking to take impaired drivers off the roads, whether it be by alcohol, drugs or even sleepy drivers.

Police say seven people lost their lives in six motor vehicle crashes throughout Alberta between June 30 – July 3 of last year, with alcohol 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 the province, with Friday being the most collision prone day of the week. The highest number of alcohol-involved fatal collisions that year occurred on Sunday when many people travel back home from their holidays.

Supt. Gary Graham, Alberta RCMP Traffic Services, says in a press release, “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.”

Mounties offer several tips to help Albertans stay safe this weekend, including encouraging bicyclists to always obey traffic signals and yield right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections, when you find yourself in a construction zone, always slow down to ensure the safety of drivers, riders and workers and 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.