Red Deer City RCMP are warning drivers to stop stacking when turning left at intersections.
RCMP Cpl. Kathe DeHeer said police are concerned about the dangerous practice of stacking, which is when more than one vehicle enters the intersection waiting to make a left turn.
“It’s a huge collision hazard,” DeHeer said on Thursday.
Two or three vehicles often line up in the intersection to turn, with some driving through a red light, she said.
“The light is already green in the opposite direction.”
Only one vehicle can pull up into the intersection forward of the stop line. That vehicle can lawfully make a left turn when the light turns yellow. The next vehicle must wait for the next green light.
Stacking is unlawful and drivers who are caught face a $115 fine for failing to stop at a yellow light or a $287 fine for failing to stop at a red light.
In 2009, over 40 per cent of collisions in the city occurred at intersections.
This month, to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on city streets, police are focusing on intersection-related driving habits that frequently cause collisions.
During a two-hour period on Wednesday, RCMP officers issued 20 tickets for failing to stop at a yellow light, one ticket for failing to stop at a red light and 15 tickets for a variety of other infractions, including seatbelt violations.