In
conjunction with the Alberta Traffic Safety Action Plan Morinville RCMP
and it’s law enforcement partners will be focusing it’s attention on
speeding related offences as well as any other high risk driving
behaviour. Jurisdictions that will be enforced include Town of
Morinville, Town of Bon Accord, Town of Gibbons, Alexander First
Nations, Town of Legal, Hamlets within Sturgeon County, and the other
roadways and highways within Sturgeon County.
With Spring now here children will be out and about in the playground areas. Please be aware.
· 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.
· Speed limits save lives every day – maybe today it’s yours.
· The faster you go, the longer it takes to stop. The faster you drive, the harder you hit.
· By the time you realize you’re going too fast, it may be too late.
· Speeding saves little time.
· This is about getting to your destination safely.
· When you slow down, you increase the safety of you and your passengers as well as other road users.
Driving a few km/h over the posted speed limit:
· Reduces your ability to steer safely around curves or objects on the road.
· Decreases your field of vision and your peripheral vision.
· Extends the distance required to stop your vehicle in emergency situations.
· Reduces your ability to obey traffic control devices such as red lights and stop signs.
· Increases the chance that you will lose control of your vehicle.
· Reduces the effectiveness of seatbelts and other safety devices such as airbags and side impact beams.
· Increases the probability of death or injury if there is a crash.
· Reduces the effectiveness of roadside hardware such as barriers, crash cushions and bridge rails.
· The
speed limit in both urban and rural school zones is 30 km/h and is in
effect on school days from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. unless other times are posted by the
municipality.
· The speed limit in a playground zone is 30 km/h and is in effect from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset.
· A
vehicle is not permitted to pass another vehicle travelling in the same
direction in either school or playground zones during the times these
zones are in effect.
Emergency vehicles and construction zones:
· Motorists must slow to 60 km/h, or less
if the posted speed is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow
trucks stopped with their lights flashing. Fines for speeding in these
areas will be double the regular amount.
· If
there are two or more traffic lanes in the same direction as the
emergency vehicle or tow truck, passing vehicles need only slow down in
the lane immediately beside the stopped emergency vehicle. Vehicles
travelling in other lanes, including oncoming lanes, may maintain their
speed but should proceed with caution.
· Emergency
vehicles include fire, police, ambulance, tow trucks, and a vehicle
used by a gas disconnection unit of a public utility or a designated
emergency response unit.
· In
construction zones, motorists must observe the posted speed. When
workers are present, fines for speeding in these areas will be doubled.
This is where workers are on or near the road, operating heavy
equipment, directing traffic, or using hand tools within the
construction zone. Drivers need to look out for workers who are behind
construction equipment and less visible.
What percentage of fatal crashes involve speeding?
Almost three out of every ten fatal crashes are the result of driving at a speed unsafe for the prevailing road conditions.
What does the maximum speed limit mean?
Posted speed limits are the maximum speeds permitted if conditions are favourable.
What can you do?
· Obey
all posted speed limits on roads as well as in school zones and
playground areas, construction zones, and when passing emergency
vehicles.
· Use common sense—slow down in bad weather, at night, and when driving on poorly lit roads.
· Slow down on unfamiliar roads.
Morinville
RCMP is asking that the public please take the above information
seriously. Our hope is to have everyone travel our roadways in a safe
and responsible manner.
