Police cracking down on motorists this August long weekend

EDMONTON – As the August long weekend approaches, motorists are reminded to take extra caution on the roads.

“Our concern is of course – much like any long weekend – everybody has fun, but unfortunately it seems like we come back after the long weekend and there’s always some tragic story. So we want to give the gentle reminder, of course, for people to be careful,” says Acting Sgt. David Green with Edmonton Police Service.

Donna Babchishin, Director of Communications for Alberta Transportation, says collisions tend to be more serious on August and Labour Day long weekends. She adds that for ten years leading up to 2011, there was an average of seven traffic fatalities during the August and September long weekends in our province.

In Edmonton, there has been a fatal crash over the August long weekend three out of the last four years. One of them involved alcohol.

According to statistics from Alberta Transportation, on average in Alberta, one in five drivers involved in fatal collisions had been drinking prior to the collision. Males between the ages of 18 and 24 are the most likely group to have consumed alcohol before a crash.

“We know from research that we’ve done in the province specifically with drivers that drivers tend to think they’re better drivers than they really probably are,” says Scott Wilson with the Alberta Motor Association. “So they tend to overestimate your skill and underestimate their risk. So there is that sort of, I won’t say invincibility, but there is an element or taste of that.”

Traffic enforcement measures are being stepped up on Alberta highways, as well as city roads. Edmonton police officers will be looking for what they call the big four this weekend: speeders, distracted drivers, those not wearing seatbelts, and of course, impaired drivers.

“If you think you might be drinking, don’t drive. Plan ahead, arrange for a cab, take transit, or get a friend or family member to pick you up. If you see someone you suspect is driving while impaired, Curb the Danger and call 9-1-1,” says Green.

So far in 2013, there have been 16 fatal collisions and 16 traffic fatalities in the city.

Conservations officers, along with fish and wildlife officers will be out in force as well this long weekend, patrolling the province’s lakes and parks.