Mounties and highway sheriffs will be out in full force through Central Alberta as travellers head out for the May long weekend.
Integrated Traffic Units will focus on impaired driving, seat-belt use, speeding, intersection violations and travelling criminals from Friday through Monday.
Supt. Howard Eaton, officer in charge of RCMP K Division traffic services, said more than 300 officers will be on the roads ensuring the safety of drivers and their passengers.
Of those, about one-third will be in Central Alberta.
“You have all the (police/sheriff) members on Hwy 2 and then you have Blackfalds, Rocky Mountain House ...” said Eaton on Wednesday.
Eaton believes a co-ordinated effort between education and enforcement will address traffic safety.
And while most Albertans understand the importance of safe driving, there’s a small, persistent group of drivers who need to be reminded of the real consequences, Eaton said.
“Our job is to remind them through education and, if necessary, by enforcing the Traffic Safety Act,” said Eaton.
It’s important to get out on the roads because of the excess traffic, he added.
He encouraged drivers to be patient and slow down.
If anyone decides to speed or drive illegally, Eaton had this warning:
“You may find one of our members in your rearview mirror,” said Eaton.