Photo: Marty Lawrence

Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) officers across Alberta have already been active, trying to maintain safety on highways heading into the long weekend.

On May 16, officers from the four QEII Integrated Traffic Units (Airdrie, Innisfail, Ponoka and Leduc) have been involved in a coordinated enforcement project on Highway #2 between Calgary and Edmonton.   

About 40 officers have been using a variety of approaches to ensure motorists are following the rules of the road.   

After just one day of enforcement on Highway #2, there have been numerous charges:

  • 273 for speeding (including four drivers who were traveling more than 150 km/h in heavy long weekend traffic)
  • 24 for seatbelt violations
  • 36 for distracted driving (cell phone)
  • 91 other traffic related behaviours

One impaired driver was charged.

“Enforcement during Holiday long weekends is a priority for the Integrated Traffic Units. Tragically, fatal and serious injury collisions tend to occur more frequently during holiday long weekends. Our officers will be paying particular attention to intercepting aggressive speeding drivers, distracted drivers, drivers not wearing seatbelts, consuming alcohol, or failing to obey traffic control devices at rural intersections. We will be working hard all weekend, trying to ensure that everyone reaches their intended destination safely", says Staff Sergeant Brian QUIST, Regional Traffic Commander of the QEII - Integrated Traffic Units.

Cpl. Darrin Turnbull of the Airdrie RCMP cautions travelers about the injury collisions that happen too frequently at secondary highway intersections from failure to stop at stop signs.

{audio}darrin_turnbull_on_secondary_highway_safety.mp3{/audio}

Turnbull adds that although the single-day stats ahead of the long weekend are alarming, there's a positive in a report just released indicating a drop in serious injury and fatal collisions.

{audio}darrin_turnbull_on_promising_drop_in_serious_collisions_in_2011.mp3{/audio}