An 81-year-old woman is in hospital with fractures after being hit by a car earlier this week. The woman was crossing St. Vital Avenue on Sept. 1 when she was struck. The 50-year-old male driver was arrested and charged with impaired driving.
Most collisions in St. Albert only cause damage between cars but the RCMP is concerned about drivers not slowing down or stopping for pedestrians on or off crosswalks, said Cpl. Laurel Kading.
With the long weekend coming up, police are advising people to act respectfully on the roads, drive sober and without distraction. There will be more people out and about, many who may also not know the city well, said Kading.
"There have been some near misses (this year) and some pedestrians who are either getting hit or almost getting hit," she said. "We ask that drivers in St. Albert slow down and take extra time."
Police across Alberta are prepared to crack down on traffic safety this weekend. Officers warn that slow traffic and unexpected delays can frustrate people and cause drivers to take unnecessary risks, such as speeding, unsafe lane changes and passing cars without see oncoming traffic. Motorists can also expect to see more farm equipment on the roads, which will slow them down.
The police warn that impulsive reactions are as dangerous as distracted driving. There have been 148 fatal motor vehicle collisions so far this year on highways and roads patrolled by RCMP, causing 169 deaths. This does not include traffic fatalities in other police jurisdictions including Edmonton.
Officers have already laid 37 charges in relation to these incidents, and many investigations continue. The 2015 death toll includes five pedestrians, two cyclists, and eight children under the age of 12.
Four people died in a motor vehicle collision on the 2015 Victoria Day weekend. Three people died on the August long weekend, and four people died over the Labour Day weekend.
"At back to school time, drivers know to be extra careful in school zones, but they should also remember that our kids are out on the road as passengers," said RCMP Inspector Gibson Glavin. "So far this year, the RCMP has responded to collisions resulting in the deaths of eight children under the age of 12. That sad fact is something every driver needs to think about this weekend."
Kading said people should plan in extra time for their trip to avoid rushing. There is also construction in the city and on the highways, she said. If people do leave, she recommended they avoid rush hour, leave early or take more breaks instead of getting tired on the road.
"There will be more vehicles on the road, whether they are leaving or coming into St. Albert to visit," she said. "Make sure you are being courteous on the road and remember that some people, if they are not familiar with the community, they might need some time to read signs."
Neighbourhood watch
Officers in St. Albert will be patrolling for traffic this weekend, but also watching for criminal activity in neighbourhoods. Following a string of break-and-enters into cars and homes throughout the city, residents should keep their valuables out of reach, lock their doors and talk to their neighbours before they leave on a trip, says Kading.
People should have someone check on their home, possibly pick up the newspaper and make sure "everything is secure." Neighbours should also inform each other who might be visiting their home, what they look like and the type of car they drive. If you do notice something strange in your neighbourhood, call the police, she said.
"We don't mind these types of calls at all," she said. "If they find something seems off we will come and help check and make sure nothing is insecure. It makes it much more difficult for the criminal element when neighbours look out for neighbours."
