Commander’s Corner: Entering intersections safely
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Devon RCMP, Article submitted
Published Jan 12, 2024 o Last updated 39 minutes ago o 5 minute read
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Alberta Transportation has chosen Intersection Safety to be the focus this January, and for good reason. Intersections are high-risk locations and Alberta Transportation reports that one quarter of collisions in Alberta are intersection related. Advertisement 2
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During winter months, road users are encouraged to navigate with extra caution while driving through intersections. While important year-round, snow and ice can make driving conditions unfavourable. Always drive at an appropriate speed, whether you are making left or right turns or proceeding straight through the intersection.
Keep an eye out for other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Article content Alberta Transportation has provided these statistics, from 2017 to 2021, about intersection collisions in Alberta.
- On average 47 people are killed and nearly 7000 are injured each year in collisions at intersections.
- About 96% of intersection collisions occurred in urban areas.
However, almost half (44%) of fatal intersection collisions occurred in rural intersections.
- Three of the top five most common driver errors in casualty collisions (fatal and injury collisions) occur at intersections; improper left turns, committing a stop sign violation and disobeying a traffic signal.
- Slush, snow, or ice was involved in about 16% of fatal collisions and 20% of injury collisions in 2021. This emphasizes the importance of slowing down and using caution while approaching and crossing intersections this winter.
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This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content In Alberta, failing to stop at a stop sign can result in a £405 fine and three demerits.
Remember that at a stop sign or red light, drivers must come to a complete stop before proceeding safely through the intersection, regardless if they are turning left, right, or going straight through. This gives drivers the opportunity to look for oncoming traffic, pedestrians or cyclists. While intersections can be slick and sometimes treacherous, driving cautiously can reduce collisions and save lives.
Slow down and stay safe. Motor Vehicle Collision Update As of January 1, 2024, the property damage motor vehicle collision threshold increased from £2,000 to £5,000.
You may be wondering what this means for motorists. Simply put, if you are involved in a collision, with damages, you will now need to report to police if the total damage to all vehicles and property is £5,000 or more. You will no longer be required to have a damage sticker for any damages under this new threshold.
If you are involved in a collision, exchange information with the other party, contact your insurance company, and get an estimate for repairs. The exceptions to this new threshold are all accidents with injuries or fatalities, and if you are involved in a hit and run. Advertisement 4
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Several of the following matters are currently under investigation. If anyone has any information regarding any of these incidents, or you see any suspicious activity, please contact the Devon RCMP at 780-987-3413. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. January 2
Town of Devon staff alerted Devon RCMP to a winter camp set up in the field west of the Highway 60 and St. Lawrence Avenue intersection. A tarpaulin was recovered and brought to the RCMP detachment.
Call and identify to claim. January 3 A key fob was found at the Robina Baker playground before Christmas.
Call the Devon RCMP Detachment to identify and claim. Devon RCMP have secured surveillance video from the Dale Fisher Arena, to further an investigation of theft of a ‘Guess’ wallet from a changing room. The wallet, stolen in the afternoon of January 2, contained various gift cards, bank cards and identification.
Anyone with information is asked to call Devon RCMP or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous. Advertisement 5 Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Devon RCMP conducted patrols west of Highway 60, in search of a dog that escaped a vehicle in the IGA parking lot, on Superior Street.
The dog was located, and returned to owner. A resident reported a lost cellphone on Michigan Street. If found, contact the Devon RCMP Detachment.
January 4 Devon Community Peace Officers recovered a bicycle west of Highway 60 on Miquelon Avenue West. Call the Devon RCMP Detachment to identify and claim.
A Toyota Tacoma sustained damages to the driver’s side mirror, over the long weekend. It appears to have been side-swiped by another motorist, who then left the scene. RCMP remind everyone to remain at the scene of an accident and exchange information.
If you come in contact with a parked car, it is mandatory to leave your name and phone number for the motorist. Failing to do so can result in charges. Advertisement 6
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January 5 Devon RCMP have secured surveillance video of subjects outside of a business on Atlantic Crescent, in the early morning hours, loading scrap metal into the back of a pickup truck. Officers identified and arrested a male for Theft Under £5000.
He was later released to appear before the courts. Devon RCMP are investigating mischief, causing damage to property, on Banff Court West. A resident found the back window of their Toyota Camry, shattered, sometime overnight.
The vehicle was parked in the driveway, in close proximity to the street. The matter is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Devon RCMP, or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous. A traffic stop on St.
Lawrence Avenue resulted in a violation ticket and a fine for a motorist. Under the Traffic Safety Act. RCMP issued a violation ticket for Drive vehicle on highway while holding, viewing or manipulating cell phone, radio communication device or other communication device, with a fine of £300.
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Article content Devon RCMP responded to a 911 call for a male, passed out in a pickup truck, in the FasGas parking lot on St. Lawrence Street.
The caller provided a description of the vehicle but not a complete license plate number. Officers attended the location and did not find a vehicle matching the description. Officers spoke to staff members, who were unable to provide any further details.
January 8 A tree along Michigan Street, south of the Miquelon Avenue intersection, was struck and knocked down after a motorist hit an icy patch on the roadway. The motorist reported minor damages, while the tree will need to be replaced.
No injuries were reported. Devon RCMP were dispatched to Jasper Court East, when a used furnace was stolen from the end of a residential driveway. Patrols in the area are ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Devon RCMP Detachment or Crime Stoppers, to remain anonymous. An abandoned vehicle was reported on Kananaskis Drive. Upon further police investigation, the pickup truck was being driven by a neighbour, and the concerned caller was updated.
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References
- ^ Local News (www.devondispatch.ca)
- ^ Join the conversation (www.devondispatch.ca)