EDMONTON – Despite the efforts by Integrated Traffic Units (ITU), which include Alberta Traffic Sheriffs and RCMP traffic personnel, it was a deadly May long weekend on Alberta highways.
Eight people were killed in seven collisions on from Friday to Sunday.
In a media release, the RCMP says “the majority of Albertans enjoyed a holiday weekend, but there are numerous families grieving the loss and injury of loved ones from motor vehicle collisions.”
Over the three days, a total of 5,039 tickets were issued, 3,843 of those were for speeding, including 67 tickets to drivers who were going at least 50 kilometers over the speed limit.
“Some people just aren’t getting the word, they’re not catching on,” said Howard Eaton, superintendant of Traffic Services. “It is amazing … some of the people traveling around at the speeds they were”
During one incident, a 15-year-old driver was pulled over after she was clocked traveling at 187 kilometers an hour on a highway with a 110 kilometer an hour speed limit. The teenager didn’t have a driver’s license.
In another incident, a sheriff clocked a motorcycle traveling at 181 kilometers an hour. The driver accelerated and fled before the sheriff could pull the person over. The sheriff didn’t pursue the biker for safety reasons.
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“When things go bad on a motorcycle generally it is the rider who gets killed,” said Eaton. “But they also impact what happens around them in traffic. Someone could have swerved to avoid them and then we could have seen a family get hurt.”
Forty-eight people were charged with impaired driving. Nine of the drivers were handed an Immediate Roadside Suspension (three days) for drunk driving. Sixteen people received 24 hour suspensions for impaired driving.
The RCMP says the Integrated Traffic Services will have more of a presence on Alberta highways on long holiday weekends throughout the summer.
“You are going to see lots of enforcement cars out there,” said Eaton. “Slow down, take your time. I think it is important that people understand that they don’t own the road. When you do something that is wrong or irresponsible you impact everyone else on the road. Quite often we see people who are hurt in crashes through no fault of their own.”
“Take your time and enjoy the drive. We have beautiful scenery here in the province, enjoy it. Get to where you are going in one piece.”
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