Strathcona County, Alberta - January is Intersection Safety Month in Alberta. Intersections are natural points of conflict in our roadway system in both urban and rural settings. The Strathcona County RCMP wants to remind drivers and pedestrians to use caution when at intersections.
The majority of collisions at intersections are caused by driver error, the most common being; making a left turn across the path of an on-coming vehicle, committing a stop sign violation, and disobeying a traffic signal.
On average, 64 people are killed and 8,044 people are injured each year in collisions at intersections in Alberta.
Safety tips for drivers:
- Do NOT:
- Run red lights
- Roll through a stop sign
- Speed through intersections
- Follow too closely
- Make unsafe left-hand turns
- Rely on having the right of way
Safety tips for pedestrians:
- Be alert at intersections. Always look out for possible dangers when crossing the street.
- Make eye contact with drivers before you cross the street.
- Abide by traffic signs and signals.
“Taking precautions behind the wheel is important and useful in avoiding a collision at an intersection.” says Cst. Chantelle Kelly of the Strathcona County RCMP, “Plan your trip to avoid rushing and leave early for your destination.”