The Lloydminster RCMP is reminding motorists to practice safe driving habits with the Thanksgiving weekend fast approaching.
“If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a safe ride planned. Make sure that if it’s in the city you can have a friend come pick you up or grab yourself a cab. We know that this can be a challenge in rural areas as there aren’t taxi services available, as you may be going between house to house for Thanksgiving festivities make sure you do plan a safe ride to get back and forth,” says Constable Grant Kirzinger.
Operation Impact will be in effect across Canada once again. The goal of the project is to detect impaired and distracted driving, speeding and seat belt use to create safer roads.
“Make sure people know when you’re going to be leaving and when you’re expected to arrive at your destination. If for some reason the weather turns over the long weekend make sure that you have some supplies with you just in case, as we’ve seen people get stuck on roads already this fall,” says Kirzinger.
Along with making sure your vehicle maintenance is up to date, Kirzinger says “it’s always a good idea to have bag packed with some of the essentials inside whether it be warmer clothes, snacks, food, water, your cell phone make sure it’s charged before you leave.”
Motorists are also reminded to keep an eye out for farm equipment, cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and wildlife. During the Thanksgiving weekend last year, there were 619 traffic collisions in Alberta RCMP jurisdictions, which led to 73 injuries and 4 deaths.