Apparently Highway 18 is a dangerous road to drive on.
And it has nothing to do with wildlife.
Sure, deer and moose occasionally wander across the asphalt and there have been a score of porcupine, skunk and bird deaths, but for the most part it is because people seem to think it is acceptable to drive well beyond the posted limit.
Over the last couple of months there have been a handful of accidents.
I know, just as well as you do, that these things happen and sometimes there’s nothing that can be done about it.
That being said, two occurred last week on May 30 and they were only hours apart.
I know this because I physically drove through the first scene probably only a minute or two after it happened and in following up with our fire chief, John Whittaker, I learned about the other incident.
I’ll admit that sometimes I myself have a bit of a lead foot but I’ve paid the price for it — in the form of tickets and I acknowledge that people have things to do.
Whether or not you’re late for a meeting, to pick up your kid or, in the case of a certain black Subaru that nearly killed me well within the 50 kilometre zone inside town here — I know your desire to get gas at UFA was all-important but the point is we need to slow down here, especially within the limits of the town.
There is no reason you should be going faster than the posted limits unless you’re a firefighter, police officer or paramedic.
Even then, emergency services have protocols to follow and proceed through intersections only when the way is clear, in a safe manner.
On May 30, one of the individuals involved in the first incident was airlifted to Edmonton via STARS due to injuries sustained in the crash.
How many vehicles have to be wrecked or lives shattered before we get the message?
I’ve written articles about speeding, having spoken to Alberta Transportation, and I’ve repeatedly tried to get the message across.
Those signs you pass that say distracted driving laws are in effect while you’re talking on your cellphone? Those aren’t there for the scenery.
Pay attention.
The rules are the rules and if you can’t abide by them, I suggest you surrender your license straight away.
There is a lot of big machinery on the roads these days and in many places, it just isn’t safe to pass, never mind speed.
