Traffic deaths bring new call for vigilance
Police urge motorists to put safety first
Police are appealing to Edmontonians to be more vigilant and drive responsibly in the wake of seven traffic-related fatalities this month.
Alcohol, speed and careless driving are some of the causes, Sgt. Gary Lamont of the Edmonton police traffic section told a press conference Thursday.
There have been 12 fatalities since the beginning of the year — six pedestrians, one cyclist, one motorcyclist and four drivers — with the first casualty occurring Feb. 4. Prior to that, the city had been free of traffic fatalities for almost four months.
The city recorded three traffic deaths on the Victoria Day long weekend. Last Saturday, 20-year-old Melinda Green died when a Jeep demonstration in an Oliver Square parking lot went horribly wrong. The following day, two-yearold Geo Mounsef was pinned to a patio wall and killed when a car crashed through a glass partition at a Terwillegar restaurant. And a 26-year-old man died early Monday after he ran into traffic at 178th Street near 64th Avenue.
Last year, 29 people were killed in traffic-related accidents in the city and more than 300 in the rest of the province. In addition to the fatalities, 14 people have been seriously injured and three remain in comas.
Despite those numbers, injury and fatal traffic collisions have actually decreased from 2006 to 2012 by nearly half, to 3,388 from 6,067.
“We always keep in mind fatalities are small numbers, but that aside, one fatality is one too many,” said Gerry Shimko, executive director of the City of Edmonton’s Office of Traffic Safety.
He said traffic collisions should be considered a “huge public health issue” that can be prevented.
To further highlight the numbers, early Thursday police stopped a motorcyclist travelling at 157 kilometres per hour in an 80 km/h zone at Whitemud Drive and 159th Street.
Last week, they stopped two sports cars — one travelling at 177 km/h and the other at 144 km/h — racing along the Whitemud. Shimko said collisions often occur in the Whitemud Drive area, especially west of 122 Street and where cars merge between 34th Street and 99th Street.
To avoid a repeat of last year, Lamont said drivers must follow the law and pedestrians should look out for themselves. “Pay attention, slow down, don’t drink and drive,” he added.
The city is attempting to reduce fatal injuries and traffic collisions. Council on Wednesday approved the Complete Streets Guidelines which looks to improve road safety. Council has also requested that the speed limit on Whitemud Drive be reviewed.