Photo Credit: EverythingGP Staff

By Shane Clausing

Canada Road Safety Week

Alberta RCMP kick off Canada Road Safety Week

May 12, 2020 | 12:06 PM

Tuesday marks the start of Canada Road Safety Week, which is held from May 12-18. The week is a seven-day national campaign aimed at making roads in Canada the safest in the world. It is led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP).

Each province’s RCMP jurisdiction comes up with a focus on each year’s campaign, with this year’s campaign in Alberta called Shifting Gears. It is aimed at shifting driver behavior surrounding drug and alcohol impairment, distracted driving and speeding.

While the effects of COVID-19 have made traffic on Alberta roads less busy, Staff Sargent for Alberta RCMP Traffic Services Damon Poole says officers will still be out in full force, making sure people are obeying the law.

“The Victoria Day long weekend typically marks the start of the road trip season for many Albertans, however this year with the ongoing COVID pandemic it may look a lot different.”

“As the province begins to consider reopening, some of the drivers over (this coming) long weekend may tempt to relax their attitudes around the physical distancing and stay at home orders. However, our traffic services in Alberta have zero tolerance for unsafe driving behaviors amidst the pandemic. Our members will be on the road, enforcing the laws to help all motorists stay safe while driving.”

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While campgrounds in the province are closed until June 1, and tourism hot spots like Jasper and Banff being quieter than normal, Poole says that RCMP across the province will still operate in high volume areas like they normally would during the long weekend, to make sure drivers will obey speed limits.

“For the May long weekend, the traffic services unit throughout the province, we’ve increased our current manpower from the existing manpower just to focus on the potential of all the people heading out on the roads.”

In a statement, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw says that if you are heading out this long weekend to the cabin, it is important to continue to follow the provincial health guidelines.

“This long weekend, I am asking Albertans to practice physical distancing and avoid gathering in groups. If visiting summer cottages, respect the health and safety of small communities by planning your trip without stops for gas or food. When outdoors or in public, take all the necessary precautions to protect your health and the health of those around you. Please enjoy the weekend and stay socially connected, but do so as safely and responsibly as possible.”