Canada Day is only a few days away, but with that comes forecasts of heavy traffic across Alberta. Many organizations are reminding people to be safe this long weekend.
“Our goal ahead of Canada 150 celebrations this weekend is for everyone to be able to enjoy the holiday and safely get to their destinations,” says Steve Daley, Acting Officer in Charge for Alberta RCMP Traffic Services. “This means exercising safe driving behaviours like driving sober, putting away cell phones or other distractions, respecting posted speed limits and driving according to traffic and weather conditions.”
The Alberta Motor Association says they expect this long weekend to be one of the busier periods for traffic for the entire year. They say nearly half of Albertans will be travelling to some place or another to celebrate Canada 150. The national parks are expected to be heaviest hit areas.
“Traffic safety within the national parks is just as important as it is anywhere else,” says Superintendent Rick Gardner with Alberta Traffic Sheriffs. “It does, however, include unique scenarios that drivers may not encounter when driving in more urban areas. Frequent stopping, the presence of wildlife and driving through unfamiliar surroundings are all factors to be aware of when travelling through Alberta’s national parks.”
However, it’s not just the roads where people should be keeping safety a top priority. The Lifesaving Society of Alberta is reminding people that the water can be just as dangerous too. They’re reminding boaters to always be within arms reach of children, wear a life jacket, not to drink and drive a boat and to not swim or boat alone.
Written by Chris Hunter, Country 99