Alberta RCMP will be on the lookout for unsafe driving behaviour this week and over the long weekend.

This week is Canada Road Safety Week, and on top of promoting good driving habits, officers will be conducting "targeted enforcement" of certain dangerous driving behaviours in an effort to reduce collisions, injuries, and deaths.

Those behaviours include driving with alcohol or drug impairment, driving while fatigued, distracted driving, aggressive driving, and driving without a seatbelt.

Sgt. Darrin Turnbull with Alberta RCMP Traffic Services was quoted in a media release, providing data from last year.

"In 2023, the Alberta RCMP removed 7,707 impaired drivers from provincial roadways, an average of 21 impaired drivers per day... During last year’s Canada Road Safety Week alone, RCMP officers removed 205 impaired motorists from Alberta's streets and highways."

The RCMP provided some tips to avoid these behaviours:

  • If you consume drugs or alcohol, arrange for transportation from a sober friend, taxi, family member, or ride-sharing service.
  • Get enough sleep, and if you find yourself getting tired while driving, find a safe place to pull over for a rest.
  • If you are becoming agitated with another driver, or encounter another motorist driving aggressively, safely pull over and contact the police.
  • Always buckle up no matter how short your trip is.