January is Intersection Safety Month in Alberta and Airdrie RCMP is hoping motorists and pedestrians take some simple precautions to ensure everyone shares the road safely.
“Poor decisions by pedestrians and motorists can lead to avoidable collisions,” Airdrie RCMP Media Liaison Constable Francine Hennelly said.
Recently published statistics on saferoads.com indicates 52 people were killed and another 8,358 injured in 2014 in collisions that occurred at an intersection. Of all the intersection collisions occurring in 2014, approximately 86 per cent were caused by driver error. According to Hennelly, some of these collisions could have been avoided had motorists and pedestrians followed some simple rules.
“For motorists, never run a red light or roll through a stop sign and refrain from speeding, especially through intersections,” she said. “Don’t follow the car in front of you too closely and pay attention when making a left hand turn. Make sure the intersection is clear of pedestrians and other motorists.
“Pedestrians need to stay alert at intersections and even try to make eye contact with the driver of a vehicle before trying to cross the street. Most importantly use and abide by all the traffic signals and signs.”
According to saferoads.com, 95.6 per cent of collisions at intersections took place in urban areas, but 61.7 per cent of fatal intersection collisions occurred in rural areas. Weather and road conditions are a factor with slush, snow or ice involved in 18 per cent of all fatal collisions (not just those at intersections) and 23.9 per cent of all non-fatal collisions.
“Pedestrians should be crossing at intersections and using crosswalks,” Hennelly said. “Just to dart across the street isn’t a good idea.”
More information about intersection safety and general road safety can be found online at saferoads.com
Alberta Transportation promotes a different safety issue every month in Alberta through its Safe Roads program.
