January is the month "Intersection Safety" for a reason

January is the month "Intersection Safety" for a reason -

The Alberta Transportation, Bureau of Road Safety focuses on intersection safety for January (and for good reason.)

Do you stop at every stop sign you meet? Not just a side glance off and roll through, but a true judgment. Often we hear the drivers say. "Well, every time I'm here, there's nobody around, so this time, it is normal not to stop, not" Unfortunately, this type of complacency we showed how deadly point, it can be.

• In Alberta, in 2013, three of the top five stocks of inappropriate driver for drivers frequently identified in the crash victims made a left turn on the way to an on-coming vehicle ( 12.9%), to commit a violation of stop sign (7.8%), and disobeying a traffic signal (7.2%).
• In Canada, 28% of deaths and 40% of serious injury collisions involved an intersection.
• In Canada, more than half of all intersection fatalities and nearly three quarters of serious injuries occur in urban areas.
• Do not yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk carries a fine of $ 575 plus four demerit points.

There are several key communicators, including vehicle operators can use to keep other drivers and pedestrians safely.

1. always look in all directions before moving into or through an intersection, and be prepared for the unexpected.
2. Scan in the distance from the roadway, beyond the intersection to determine the circulation flow rate and if the next emergency vehicles.
3. Check what human trafficking is, or about to enter the crosswalk area.
4. always lead to defense and remain alert.

for pedestrians, there are also some ways to help your own safety and mitigate potential dangers before crossing the street or entering an intersection.

1. always make eye contact with the driver before entering the crosswalk or start to cross.
2. always remain in signs and pedestrian traffic lights.
3. Remove distractions such as headphones, so you can hear what is happening around you, especially when in or around a corner.

Intersections are busy and can be very dangerous. Pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle drivers must be vigilant at intersections and avoid distractions, such as electronic devices, headphones and cell phones. It is imperative that we stop at all stop signs. Failure to stop at a stop sign result in a fine of $ 287 and three demerit points. At the stop sign, drivers must come to a complete stop, meaning that the wheels of the vehicle must not be moving. This complete stop gives the driver the opportunity to watch for traffic coming the other way, pedestrians and / or cyclists. AND in rural Alberta, this traffic might be children or quad riders.

If everyone paid more attention around, obeying signs and signals, we could reduce the number of incidents, accidents and death in our intersections in Alberta. We will all help Alberta Transportation, Bureau of road safety with their goal of bringing awareness to security intersection

Blog Author Lori Christensen | Rogers Stieg Transportation Insurance Ltd.
References: Office of Highway Safety / Alberta Transportation

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