Five people dead, 28 injured in collisions over Alberta long weekend
Alberta RCMP issued over 1,100 traffic tickets during the Heritage Day period, with impaired driving remaining a critical concern.
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Five people died and 28 were injured in collisions across Alberta during the Heritage Day long weekend, Alberta RCMP confirmed Tuesday.
One person died in a single-vehicle rollover near Pincher Creek on Saturday. A 93-year-old man died in a crash near Wainwright, another person died in a rollover near Killam, and a 20-year-old died in a rollover near Rimbey. A fifth death occurred when a man operating a UTV stuck in deep water called for help from a woman on an ATV; as they attempted to use a winch to extract the vehicle, the ATV pinned the man between the two machines near Morinville.
From July 31 to August 3, enhanced traffic safety enforcement resulted in 1,107 tickets issued across Alberta. Of those, 513 were for speeding, 27 for distracted driving, and 20 for seatbelt violations. Ninety drivers were removed from roads for impairment; 59 failed breathalyzer tests, 13 received 24-hour suspensions, and 14 received warnings. Four novice and commercial drivers were also removed after failing tests, despite zero-tolerance policies for those licence classes.
"Five people are no longer with us because of traffic-related incidents, and that's a tragedy," Cpl. Gina Slaney said. "1,107 traffic-related tickets over a three-day period is unacceptable. I feel like drivers on the road need to be safer."
By the numbers
How many people died in collisions across Alberta during the Heritage Day long weekend?
Five people died in collisions across Alberta during the Heritage Day long weekend. Deaths included a single-vehicle rollover near Pincher Creek, a crash near Wainwright, a rollover near Killam, a rollover near Rimbey, and a man pinned between a UTV and ATV near Morinville.
How many traffic tickets did Alberta RCMP issue from July 31 to August 3?
Alberta RCMP issued 1,107 traffic tickets from July 31 to August 3, including 513 for speeding, 27 for distracted driving, and 20 for seatbelt violations.
How many drivers were removed from roads for impairment during the Heritage Day enforcement period?
Ninety drivers were removed from roads for impairment from July 31 to August 3, comprising 59 who failed breathalyzer tests, 13 who received 24-hour suspensions, 14 who received warnings, and 4 novice or commercial drivers who failed tests.
