May - Young Drivers Awareness
Safety on Alberta roads is always our top priority. We all have a stake in our efforts to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our roads. Government, law enforcement and the many traffic safety partners are working together to find solutions. Drivers also need to realize the importance of the role they play too.
Over the five years, 2009 – 2013, 206 young drivers (between 14 - 24 years of age) were killed and 12,421 young drivers were injured in collisions. Although young drivers represent only a small percentage of the province's licensed drivers, they have the highest casualty collision rates.
· Crash rates are especially high during the first year of unsupervised driving.
· Crash rates for young drivers are highest when there are teen passengers in the vehicle and at night.
· In terms of involvement per 1,000 licensed drivers, males aged 18-21 are consistently more likely to have consumed alcohol prior to a casualty collision than any other age group.
· Another high-risk behaviour that significantly contributes to young driver road crashes in Alberta is driver intoxication (including drugs and alcohol).
· Other factors associated with young driver road crashes:
· Driver inexperience: Often young drivers don’t realize that it takes time and a lot of practise to develop safe driving skills.
· Overconfidence and risk taking: Young drivers can be over confident about their driving ability and underestimate dangers on the road.
· Having friends as passengers: Young drivers may be distracted by passengers or may feel pressured to take risks, such as speeding.
· Alcohol and other drugs: Young people often do not understand that alcohol and other drugs affect a driver’s skills, mood and, most importantly, behaviour, putting the driver at greater risk of crashing. Safe driving requires clear judgment, concentration and the ability to react to what’s happening on the road.
· Busy lifestyles: Work, study and extracurricular activities often mean busy lifestyles for young people, which may cause them to drive when tired – especially late at night. Driving tired significantly impairs driving, even if the driver does not feel sleepy.
When do collisions involving young drivers occur?
More than one-half of casualty collisions involving a young driver (aged 14 - 24) occurred in the months of May through October. Fatal collisions involving a young driver occurred most often in the month of September.
More casualty collisions involving young drivers (aged 14 - 24) occurred on Friday than on any other day. In all, almost half of the fatal collisions involving young drivers occurred on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Approximately one-third of casualty collisions involving a young driver (aged 14 - 24) occurred during the afternoon rush hour period between 3:00 pm - 6:59 pm. another third of fatal collisions involving a young driver occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
What are the common mistakes that young drivers make?
Young drivers aged 14 - 24 are more likely to commit a driver error than other drivers. The most common errors include following too closely, running off the road, making a left turn across the path of an oncoming vehicle and crossing the centre line.
Are young drivers wearing seatbelts?
One-third of young drivers killed in a collision were not wearing their seatbelt.
What is Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)?
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) is a program designed to improve road safety by creating a low risk, controlled environment for new drivers, regardless of age. The GDL program ensures that new drivers get the support, skills and experience they need to handle the complex task of driving.
What are the goals of the GDL program?
· To reduce collisions, injuries and deaths in Alberta.
· To reinforce that driving is a privilege — not a right.
· To foster a generation of safe young drivers by giving them the opportunity to practise responsible driving with a licensed mentor.
All provinces that have implemented a GDL program have experienced significant decreases in the collision rates of new drivers.
Together with practice, guidance and education, we can all contribute to ensuring that when OUR young drivers “hit the road”, they have the knowledge and confidence to do it safely.
Additional information and resources can be found on the Saferoads website at:
http://www.saferoads.com/pdf/Class-5-Licence.pdf
Morinville RCMP
This message is made possible by the Sturgeon Rural Crime Watch Association in partnership with the Morinville RCMP.
If you have any information in respect to this incident or know of any crime or criminal activity, please call the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4550 or Toll Free at 780-459-7689.
IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 9-1-1.
Dan Antoniuk
SRCWA
Communications Director
Mayerthorpe Alberta – The Mayerthorpe RCMP have arrested and charged one person in relation to the recent rash of fires in the area, of which includes the CN trestle bridge fire.
