|
“Road safety is everyone's responsibility, especially yours”
- There are over 4,000 collisions in Red Deer every year.
- Emergency Services responds to more than 350 “injury collisions” each year including 35 pedestrian injuries involving motor vehicles.
- Each week, traffic collisions result in at least six deaths and injure nearly 500 people in Alberta.
Common causes of traffic collisions
Following to Close
Remember the "Two Second Rule". If the vehicle ahead of you is less than two seconds away, you are following to close. Pick a landmark and watch when the vehicle ahead of you pass the mark. Your vehicle should not pass that same mark for at least two seconds. Allowing two seconds between you and the vehicle ahead of yours gives adequate time to react in the event of an emergency.
Unsafe Left Turns
Be a defensive driver. Proceed with caution when making a left turn across a path.
Speeding
Arrive alive! Speeding reduces the time a driver has to avoid a crash and increases the likelihood and severity of the crash. The dangers of speeding far outweigh the travel time saved. Choosing to exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for traffic, road, vehicle, or driver conditions can result in not just a speeding ticket, but injury or death. Speed limits are not just guidelines, they save lives.
Failure to Obey Traffic Controls
Traffic controls are designed with safety in mind. When considered and adhered to, most incidents, injuries and tragedies can be avoided. Please take the time to evaluate your own behaviour behind the wheel.
Undue Care and Attention
It only takes a second for a crash to happen. Distractions occur when drivers concentrate on something other than operating their vehicles, such as engaging in cell phone conversations. Driving safely can be challenging enough even when full attention is given to the road and its potential hazards. Driving while operating a cell phone, adjusting the radio, or eating and drinking can be distracting and potentially dangerous. Traffic incidents are not accidents, they are predictable and preventable.
Safety tips you can use
- Make adjustments to vehicle controls such as radios, air conditioning, or mirrors before beginning to drive or after the car is no longer in motion
- Don't reach down or behind the driver's seat, pick up items from the floor, open the glove compartment, clean the inside windows, or perform personal grooming while driving
- If you must use a cell phone:
- Keep both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road; remember that safe driving is the priority
- Assess the current traffic situation before making or receiving any calls
- Don't answer or dial the phone when driving in hazardous conditions
- Pull over to the side of the road before beginning a cell phone conversation, or wait until you reach your destination
- The safest time to use a cell phone while driving is when stopped
- Become familiar with how to use the phone. Read the manual and know how to use the available features
- Obey the speed limit
- Don't make sudden changes in direction
- Give proper signals
- Regularly check your rear and side view mirrors
- Don't tailgate other drivers
- Never operate a motor vehicle when you are angry or upset
- Expect changes in road conditions or the sudden appearance of emergency vehicles
- Wear your safety belt
- Be courteous; don't seek revenge or try to intimidate other drivers
- Never drink and drive
- Keep music at a reasonable sound level
- If you are walking, you can do your part to avoid incidents and increase safety by:
- Walking on sidewalks when they're available. If not, walk facing traffic
- Be predictable; cross at corners or marked crosswalks
- Always look both ways twice before entering the roadway
- Wear brightly coloured clothing at night and walk in well-lighted areas
- Never play in the street
|
