Road Safety Week: watch out for each other

Strathcona County reminds drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to watch out for each other and share the road safely. 

During Canada’s Road Safety Week, May 16 to 22, 2023, Strathcona County’s enforcement teams will be reinforcing safe road habits.  
 
All road users are reminded to pay extra attention to factors that affect safety, including impaired driving, distracted driving, recreational trailer hauling safety, vehicle speed, bicycle and motorcycle safety.  
 
“Over these warmer weeks, many people are re-familiarizing themselves with their bicycles, motorcycles and recreational trailers,” says Tom Sutton, Director of RCMP and Enforcement Services. “Please watch out for each other on the roads by paying close attention to your surroundings.” 
 
The most recent Annual Policing Priorities Survey Results showed residents placed traffic safety as an important issue for RCMP and Enforcement Services.  

Between 2013 and 2022, there were more than 19,000 motor vehicle collisions reported on roads in Strathcona County. Sixty-five people lost their lives and 394 suffered major, often life-changing injuries. Altogether, it is estimated these collisions cost the community over $500 million. 

Distracted driving is any activity that removes driver focus off the road. The fine for distracted driving in Alberta is $300 and three demerits. Alberta’s distracted driving law restricts drivers from the following while driving: 

• Using hand-held cellphones 

• Texting or e-mailing 

• Using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays, and programming portable audio players (e.g., iPod) 

• Entering information on GPS units 

• Reading printed materials in the vehicle 

• Writing, printing or sketching 

• Personal grooming 

Think hands-free is safe? Think again. While it is difficult to quantify the impact of distracted driving, it is generally accepted distraction is responsible for a greater percentage of road fatalities than impaired driving in Canada. 

Remember to keep your pet as a back seat rider. For the safety of both pets and road users, pets should be secured in the back of a vehicle in a carrier or with a seatbelt.   

For more information, visit Strathcona.ca/TrafficSafety 

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Contact:  
Strathcona County  
Communications  
780-410-6595