RCMP throughout the Province are setting their sights to intersection safety as we wheel into 2020.

According to Alberta Transportation over 85 per cent of collisions involve driver error and the most common errors identified in causality collisions at intersections include left hand turns, stop sign violations and disobeying traffic signals.

RCMP Constable Mike Hibbs says there a few things we can do to be safer drivers.

"Safely approaching intersections is always very important. We always advise people to slow down when approaching intersections especially at this time of year when it comes to slippery and icy conditions."

Hibbs says it's never safe to assume when it comes to ice and intersections.

"As you approach an intersection, stop sign, red lights or crosswalks we encourage everyone to give themselves good stopping distance, especially if there's a vehicle in front of you." Hibbs says "Make sure you make eye contact with any pedestrians that may be there so they know you're stopping for them."

As for pedestrians, Hibbs says they also have just as important of a role to play in traffic safety.

"Pedestrians need to be very cautious when crossing roads, we advise not jaywalking or walking between cars, instead to look for that designated crosswalk."

He says distracted pedestrians can be just as much as a problem as distracted drivers.

"We see a lot of people who are distracted as well when it comes to using their phones, or having their earphones in so it's a really good idea to take out an ear bud or put down the phone when you're crossing the intersection."

Mounties are also reminding drivers that not stopping for pedestrians in a marked crosswalk is illegal, and tickets for not stopping while a pedestrian is in a crosswalk can run around $800 to start.

 

Send us your news tips, story ideas and comments at news@highriveronline.com