Multiple collisions west of Barrhead

The investigation by Alberta Transportation into the cause of an accident involving a pickup truck and a taxi-cab on Highway 18 Feb. 24 is currently underway but Barrhead Fire Department deputy fire chief Gary Hove says the high-tension cable barriers in the area mitigated the seriousness of the incident.

More information on the Feb. 24 accident can be found on Page 6A in the RCMP report issued Mar. 2.“Talking to the driver [of the pickup truck], he has indicated that in spite of the damage done to the vehicle, the barriers helped to keep him on the road,” Hove said, adding there were no serious injuries.

Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Glen van Dijken, who was traveling through the area at the time, said he questions whether the barriers were a detriment or a benefit.

“I don’t know the details of what really happened but as I understand it, in speaking with the pickup truck driver, there was nowhere for him to go once the taxi-cab driver crossed the divider,” van Dijken said.

“At the end of the day, if the barrier wasn’t there, would it have allowed the accident to not happen? Would [the pickup truck driver] have been able to avoid the accident? I don’t know. On the other hand, because the barriers were in place, did they help avoid the likelihood of a rollover? Again, I don’t know.”

van Dijken said he believes Alberta Transportation will have to consider whether or not the barriers ensure safety on narrow roadways such as Highway 18.

Hove said another collision occurred just east of the first one.

“I did not see it myself but I understand there were minor injuries and that one couple was transported to the hospital. It appears the driver involved in the second accident failed to notice the traffic control signs that were in full view of the roadway and rear-ended another vehicle.”

Hove said ambulance crews on scene simply drove from the first to the second and handled both situations efficiently.

“The biggest thing with these types of incidents is distracted driving,” Hove said, adding whether a person is looking off into the adjacent fields or at an electronic device, drivers must remember to keep their eyes on the road for the possibility of hazards.

Jamie Friesen, Public Affairs Officer for Alberta Transportation, said the department is aware of the collision and takes all such incidents seriously. “We offer our condolences to everyone involved with this crash,” he said, adding Alberta Transportation remains confident that the high-tension cable barrier system in place is an effective safety measure that decreases the severity of collisions.