LAKELAND - Although winter doesn't officially start until later this month, most drivers in the region have already shifted their habits as road conditions require every year.
In November, the Government of Alberta announced a couple of changes it hopes will make winter roads safer for motorists. One of the most notable changes is to allow flashing white strobe lights on snowplows to increase visibility. New signs will also be installed along provincial highways to remind people to drive according to the conditions, and watch for roadside workers.
“Snowplow and tow truck drivers are essential workers who face significant risks as they keep our highways clear and safe for travel. New lights and signage will make sure workers are more visible on the highway and encourage motorists to be alert to roadside workers. As drivers and fellow Albertans, we owe it to them to drive responsibly so that each of us can get home safely," said Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation.
The province is hoping to create more awareness around snowplows and tow trucks working in the winter months. The province says it will be consulting with Albertans throughout the winter to "gauge their awareness of worker safety and identify further steps" to protect roadside workers.
Every year, there are dozens of collisions and near misses involving snowplows on Alberta highways. In 2019-20, there were 31 collisions with snowplows operated by government highway maintenance contractors.
Carmacks is one of those highway maintenance contractors.
“Carmacks is fully committed to the safety of the travelling public and our team members. As such, we support all initiatives undertaken by the Government of Alberta that increase public awareness and provide focus and education on the importance of roadside worker safety," said Terry O’Flanagan, safety coordinator with Carmacks Enterprises Ltd.
Motorists can also turn to technology to help keep everyone safe on the highways. The 511 Alberta app now has the capability to alert drivers with an audible ping when they approach a snowplow on a provincial highway.
According to County of St. Paul CAO Sheila Kitz, the municipality doesn't have any plans to change the lights on its snow removal equipment.
"We are going by the standard – yellow and red, means snowplow ahead. That is how our equipment is currently set up," said Kitz.
When asked about the move for the province to allow strobe lights on plows, MD of Bonnyville CAO Luc Mercier said the municipality will always act in the best safety of all of its residents, ratepayers, the users of all of its roads, and staff.
"If there's something that comes out that makes our equipment safer and more visible, we will definitely implement it," said Mercier. The municipality is still gathering information regarding the change.
Town challenges
"From a town perspective our snow removal crews (and) equipment are not necessarily faced with the speed that the highway operators face, however, what we are faced with is very tight clearances for people to pass safely," said Steven Jeffery, director of public works with the Town of St. Paul. "I would encourage all of the motoring public within town limits to avoid our crews whenever possible, which will allow them to complete their job as safe and efficient as they can. Quite often our equipment needs to stop, back up and reposition themselves many times in a day, sometimes without notice."
He recommends motorists stay clear of the snow clearing equipment to help keep everyone safe.
"When avoidance isn’t possible, please be patient, give yourself enough room for the operators to see you and proceed safely when it is safe to do so," adds Jeffery.
Slow down
According to the Traffic Safety Act, motorists in adjacent lanes must slow down to 60km/hour when passing any first responders and emergency vehicles with their lights flashing - at any time of the year. Speeding fines also double in construction zones where workers are present, at all times.
With files from Robynne Henry
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