LAKELAND - Alberta RCMP Traffic St. Paul would like to remind drivers that our traffic safety focus for the month of January is Intersection Safety.
Intersections are high-risk locations and one in four collisions in Alberta occur at intersections. Road users should practice caution at intersections, especially in the winter months when road conditions can be unfavourable. Whether you're travelling straight through an intersection or making a turn, drive at a speed safe for the conditions and always keep an eye out for other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
"Alberta RCMP Traffic is committed to enhancing public safety by reducing harm and hazardous behaviours on Alberta roadways through strategic partnerships, enforcement, education and crime reduction initiatives," says Cpl. Trevor Schmidt of the Alberta RCMP St. Paul/Vermilion Traffic Services Unit.
Did you know?
- The driver of a motor vehicle must come to a stop before entering onto a provincial highway or street from a road, service road, alley or driveway unless the intersection is marked with a “yield” sign or “merge” sign. The vehicle must be stopped at a point no further than three meters back from the intersecting roadway or where there is a marked stop line at the stop line.
- When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time where there is a 4 way stop or the intersection is uncontrolled, the person driving the vehicle to the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right.
Intersection safety facts
· On average, 55 people are killed and nearly 8,000 are injured each year in collisions at intersections in Alberta (2015 - 2019).
· About 96 per cent of intersection collisions occurred in urban areas from 2015-2019. However, over half (about 51 per cent) of fatal intersection collisions occurred in rural areas.
· Three of the five most common driver errors in casualty collisions (ie. fatal and injury collisions) are intersection-related: improper left turns, committing a stop sign violation, and disobeying a traffic signal.
· Slush, snow, or ice was involved in about 25 per cent of fatal collisions and 27 per cent of injury collisions in 2019. This makes it especially important to slow down and be careful navigating intersections in the winter.
· In Alberta, failing to stop at a stop sign can result in a $405 fine and three demerits. At a stop sign, drivers must come to a complete stop before proceeding safely through the intersection. This gives drivers the opportunity to look for oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists.
