RCMP are reminding Albertans to make good choices while spending time with their families.
Winter weather conditions, higher volumes in traffic and shorter daylight hours can all be a recipe for disaster.
“The best way to show your loved ones that you care this Family Day Weekend is to make sure everyone arrives home safely,” said RCMP Traffic Superintendent Ian Lawson. “The easiest way to do that is to slow down, keep your eyes on the road and drive sober.”
Seven people died in four motor vehicle collisions in Alberta over the 2015 Family Day Weekend. RCMP also report that they responded to another 49 injury collisions.
Police have also included a warning to snowmobile and quad-enthusiasts to consider the risks of off-road driving, especially at night. Last Family Day Weekend one person died in an off-road accident, and RCMP responded to four other off-road injury collisions.
As with all long weekends, RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs will be focusing on speeding, impaired and distracted drivers on our provinces highways. On this long weekend last year, 91 people were charged with impaired driving and another 37 drivers received alcohol or drug-related driving suspensions.