Watch: RCMP vehicle struck in treacherous winter conditions

Mounties are imploring motorists to drive to winter conditions after an RCMP car was struck when police were responding to a collision in Northern Alberta.

According to police, over the weekend, a member of the Alberta RCMP Traffic – Leduc was responding to a late-night single-vehicle collision on the QEII northbound at Highway 616 where a vehicle struck the wire barrier in the centre median.

Mounties are imploring motorists to drive to winter conditions after an RCMP car was struck when police were responding to a collision in Northern Alberta. (Photo provided by RCMP)

"The police vehicle was parked and stationary with its emergency lights activated in the fast lane when a passing semi truck struck both the police vehicle on the driver’s side as well as the vehicle involved in the first collision," police said. 

"First responders are in a high-risk situation when they’re parked roadside, particularly when road and traffic conditions are treacherous”, said Cst. Cheri-Lee Smith, Leduc RCMP Public Information Officer. (Photo provided by RCMP)

The responding officer was sitting inside his police vehicle speaking with the driver of the vehicle involved in the initial collision when the police vehicle was struck. The officer immediately requested assistance from police and other first responders. Both the officer and the 27-year-old male passenger were transported to hospital with minor injuries and later released.

"First responders are in a high-risk situation when they’re parked roadside, particularly when road and traffic conditions are treacherous”, said Cst. Cheri-Lee Smith, Leduc RCMP Public Information Officer. “As first responders, we have bright red and blue emergency lights to assist in ensuring our safety and those around us. But other vehicles don’t have that extra safety measure.”

The 47-year-old male driver of the semi-truck was not injured. The driver of the semi-truck was issued a ticket for driving carelessly under the Traffic Safety Act.

Since September 1 of this year, there have been new traffic laws encompassing roadside workers. if a motorist is driving in the lane closest to any roadside worker vehicle stopped at the side of the road with its lights flashing, drivers must slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower. Drivers must also move over to the far lane if it’s safe to do so and take reasonable steps to allow other drivers to move over as well.

One should also remember to not attempt to pass a snowplow when:

• the view along the side of the snowplow is obstructed
• passing would impede the operation of the snowplow
• the act of passing cannot be done safely

The new roadside worker safety rules now apply to all roadside workers, including first responders, tow truck operators, highway maintenance workers and snowplow operators. According to the province, failure to comply with these rules can result in a fine and three demerit points:

• $243 and three demerit points for failing to slow down to the maximum speed limit when passing stopped roadside workers.

• $243 fine and three demerit points for failing to allow other drivers to move into a traffic lane farther from a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside work vehicle.

• A fine of $324 and three demerit points for unsafe passing of snowplows.

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