The winter season is in full swing and as the temperatures drop and the snow falls, we can only expect to encounter harsher conditions on Alberta’s highways.
Ice has started to form across roadways and blizzard-like conditions have already hit the area, leaving close to a foot of snow as evidence.
These conditions no doubt lend a helping hand to the many collisions emergency services have responded to since the first snowfall last week.
As the weather works against motorists, it is important they demonstrate due caution on the roadways — whether that means outfitting vehicles with snow tires, decreasing speed through intersections or simply increasing attentiveness behind the wheel.
Driving safely is an ongoing responsibility that is elevated in winter months, when unpredictable conditions can create unexpected hazards.
Approximately 40 per cent of collisions in a year take place over four months from November to February, according to last year’s Alberta Traffic Collision Statistics, and resulted in 89 deaths throughout the province.
In these months, slush, snow and ice become contributing factors in many of these collisions and it is something to be wary of at all times.
Another thought to keep in mind is that more than 72 per cent of fatality collisions occur in rural areas — a staggering statistic that includes Westlock and surrounding areas.
Being situated in a rural area surrounded by major highways and main trucking routes, collisions will happen. That said they can be reduced if drivers exercise caution.
When someone possesses a licence allowing them the privilege of driving on Alberta roadways, they also take on the duty of driving responsibly to ensure their life and the lives of others remain intact.
This responsibility means adapting driving habits to reflect road and weather conditions.
Driver negligence and failure to drive for the conditions isn’t a good excuse for a traffic fatality.
