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RCMP crack down on seatbelt violations
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
RCMP have zero tolerance when it comes to motorists not wearing their seatbelts and to prove it they held checkstops throughout the Foothills targeting those who choose not to buckle up.
The checkstops, held in Okotoks, High River and Turner Valley over the weekend, are a part of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) which is a short-term education and enforcement program.
The program starts with education where local RCMP attempt to raise awareness of the importance of wearing seatbelts and using car seats.
The second part of the program is enforcement where all motorists not wearing seatbelts or not using car seats are ticketed.
For the past two weeks, RCMP and regional health partners have been conducting local community awareness campaigns focusing on the life-saving benefits of seatbelts and child safety seats. Posters, brochures, safety talks, radio messages, print articles, presentations to schools and local media events have been extremely effective in providing the public with information about the need for the use of seat belts and child safety seats.
'Our enforcement and health professionals are taking every opportunity to educate the public on seat belts and stop signs and of the up-coming enforcement phase, so no one should be surprised. If you’re caught 'rolling' through a stop sign or not wearing a seatbelt, you will be charged,' Staff Sgt. Steve MacDonald, 'K' Division Traffic Services.
According to recent statistics over the past 10 years 73 per cent to 82 per cent of all motor vehicle deaths happened in RCMP jurisdictions in rural Alberta.
Of these fatal collisions, 51 per cent of the occupants were not restrained.
A recent seatbelt survey showed that one-third of rural drivers do not wear seatbelts.
Cst. Phil Paul of the RCMP Highway Patrol, explained that the rate of seatbelt wearers in Alberta is 71.9 per cent.
'We would like to see that increased,' he said.
Currently the fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $57 with no demerit points to your driver’s licence. However, there has already been a letter sent to the Alberta transportation minister to increase the fine to $115 with two demerit points.
'Our target goal is a 95 per cent wear rate and the only way we are going to achieve that is by a high fine and points (on a driver’s licence),' said Paul.
He added that in a 10-year period if the number of injuries and deaths as a result of drivers and passengers not wearing their seatbelts decreased by 40 per cent, the province would reap a savings of $5 billion in health care costs.
Dr. Ron Gorsche, an emergency room physician at the High River Hospital, reiterated the importance of seatbelts and child restraints.
'There is no doubt that seatbelts save lives in our department,' said the physician.
'I really admire the RCMP and Mission Possible for what they are doing. They have taken on a major program,' Gorsche added.
It is expected that the STEP program will continue on an annual basis in the province.
RCMP were also targeting other driving infractions on the weekend such as stop sign compliance and impaired driving.
In High River, RCMP laid 153 charges for failures to wear seatbelts, one charge regarding a child restraint and 12 other charges.
In Okotoks, as of Sunday, 263 tickets for failure to wear seatbelts were issued. Twenty-two tickets were issued for child restraint infractions, eight for no insurance and 11 other charges were issued.
Fourteen per cent of all fatalities are the result of stop sign violations.
The purpose of the STEP program is to reduce these statistics, thus save lives and reduce injuries and the unnecessary burden on the local health care system.
The enforcement blitz follows two weeks of community awareness to educate the public on the critical need to wear seat belts and stop at stop signs.
'The correct and consistent use of seat belts and child safety seats are the single most cost effective means we have of reducing death and injury on our highways,' said assistant commissioner Don McDermid, commanding officer of the RCMP in 'K' Division.
'Every person who buckles up increases their chances of surviving a fatal collision by 45 per cent and their chances of escaping serious injury by 50 per cent.'
That’s why RCMP, the regional health authorities of Alberta, Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, Alberta Health and Wellness, Alberta Solicitor General, Alberta Transportation, Alberta Motor Association and other provincial traffic safety stakeholders are teaming up to promote seatbelt usage and stop sign compliance.
'There is an urgent need to get the message out to our communities to buckle up,' said Staff Sgt. Steve MacDonald, 'K' Division Traffic Services.
Wanna go
Sumo wrestling was a favorite among the crowds during the Pre-construction Street Party hosted by the Downtown Okotoks Business Association. The event also featured local entertainment, a fire pit, beer gardens and games and activities for the whole family. The purpose for the event was to celebrate the future of the downtown core following street construction which is expected to commence on May 14. For more photos see page 15 of the second section.
photo by Cindy Ballance
Wanted Turner Valley man surrenders to City of Calgary police
A Turner Valley man who has been wanted in connection with the abduction of his two children has turned himself into City of Calgary police.
According to an RCMP press release, Melvin Ronald Mabbott of Turner Valley had been on the run from police since August of 2000 and had Canada-wide warrants issued through Turner Valley RCMP for three counts of child abduction, theft of a motor vehicle, false pretense and fraud. Mabbott, along with his lawyer, turned himself in to the city police.
According to the press release, he was also wanted by Cochrane RCMP for the theft of a horse trailer and another theft charge from 1998 from Dawson Creek, B.C. and is still wanted in the United States for interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.
The three children were turned over by Arizona child welfare to British Columbia welfare earlier this year.
Mabbott is scheduled to appear in Okotoks Provincial Court on June 7.
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In this issue... |
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Opinion  Celebrate Mother’s Day, May 13 See this week's printed issue |
 Okotoks icon closes its doors See this week's printed issue  Knights win first ever rugby game See Sports |
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