Mounties urge drivers to slow down as spring arrives

As the weather warms up and roads clear, Alberta RCMP are reminding drivers that speeding remains a major safety risk.

Even in ideal driving conditions, unsafe speeds can lead to serious collisions and injuries.

Speeding remains one of the most common traffic violations in the province. Last year, Alberta RCMP issued 48,600 speeding tickets in RCMP jurisdictions, with 4,283 violations in April alone. In addition, more than 9,400 charges were laid for aggressive and dangerous driving.

According to Alberta Transportation, one in four fatal crashes involves speeding, with more than half of those occurring in rural areas. Nationwide, Transport Canada reports that 27 per cent of road fatalities and 19 per cent of serious injuries are linked to excessive speed.

“Speeding is one of the biggest threats to traffic safety, and unfortunately, it’s a common traffic violation among drivers,” says Sgt. Darrin Turnbull of Alberta RCMP Traffic. “Stay safe this ‘speeding season’ by respecting the posted speed limit, even when you’re in a hurry.”

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To help reduce speeding-related crashes, RCMP encourage motorists to plan ahead, follow posted speed limits, especially in school and construction zones, and adjust their speed for weather and traffic conditions. Passengers are also urged to speak up if their driver is going too fast.

RCMP stress that slowing down isn’t just about avoiding a ticket, it’s about saving lives.