RCMP, traffic violations

Last week the RCMP took on speeding and other traffic violations in the area, handing out numerous tickets. Speeding was one of the top traffic violations, with distracted driving coming in second. With the harsh winter months almost here the RCMP is trying to keep the roads safe, and that means handing out traffic violations when these are spotted by officers. A total of 32 tickets for speeding were handed out just in the Gregoire Lakes Estate area, and 12 traffic violations for speeding in a school zone were also given during the week. 17 people received traffic violations for distracted driving, and 4 people were arrested for driving while impaired. The remoteness of Fort MacMurray and Wood Buffalo make the number of RCMP traffic violations troubling. When the winter weather hits the roadways will become risky due to ice and snow, and even being distracted for a few seconds or going a few miles over the speed limit will be dangerous.

Some of the RCMP arrests and traffic violations cited were somewhat unusual according to RCMP Cst. George Cameron. “This past Saturday morning around 8:00, members did a traffic stop and they got an impaired driver. They got another… impaired driver at 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday. Those are unusual, we don’t like to see those things, but I’m glad our members were there to get these people off the road.” Usually impaired driving occurs in the evening and night hours, so having two in a row during the day is troubling. This is the period when there are many more people on the roads, and the danger of an accident with another vehicle is much higher.