Number of vehicle collisions declined in 2011

The total number of vehicle collisions decreased by ten per cent to 684 in 2011 according to a traffic analysis released by Camrose Police Service.

Two of the collisions involved fatalities and 28 resulted in injuries.

Twenty-five resulted in property damage under $1,000, while 629 resulted in property damage over $1,000.

On-highway collisions for which traffic safety measures can be initiated decreased by four per cent, from 426 to 407.

The number of on-highway collisions was 459 in 2009 and 444 in 2008.

Hit and run collisions (reported) increased nine per cent, from 162 to 176. Pedestrian and bicycle collisions totalled six, compared to 11 in 2010.

Motorcycle collisions increased from one in 2010 to three in 2011.

Road conditions were noted as a factor in 58 per cent of the collisions in 2011, with the most common factor being slush, snow or ice. Weather conditions were noted as a factor in 14 per cent of all collisions.

The analysis notes that 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions involve driver distraction.

"These  contribute to the driver's ability to brake or avoid the collision."

Police laid charges in 179 of the 407 on-highway collisions.

January busiest month

Seventy-seven of the collisions occurred during the month of January, compared to 44 in March, 31 in November, 40 in December and 36 in September.

May and July tied as the months in which the fewest collisions (20) occurred.

The day with the highest number of collisions was Friday, with 69. Thursday was second, at 67, while Tuesday and Wednesday were tied at 61.

Sunday was the day of the week with the fewest number of collisions, at 35.

Forty-one collisions occurred between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m., while 36 occurred between 5:00  and 6:00 p.m.

Stunting, mechanical and pedestrian violations, health, speeding and undue care were the most common cause of collisions, followed by following too closely, backing and going through a stop sign.

Top locations

The 48 Avenue and 68 Street intersection was the most dangerous in Camrose in 2011 with nine collisions, followed by the 51 Avenue and 46 Street intersection with six, the 48 Avenue and 73 Street intersection with four, the 54 Avenue and 53 Street intersection with four, and the 39 Street and Camrose Drive intersection with four.

"48 Avenue and 68 Street is an example of a well engineered intersection but due to high traffic volume it consistently ranks high in collision frequency," states the analysis.

The total number of collisions at intersections in Camrose in 2011 was 105, compared to 96 the year before.

Provincially, the three main causes for collisions are left turns across the path of an oncoming vehicle, stop sign violations or disobeying a traffic control device.

Who is involved?

Drivers in the 21 to 30 age category were the ones most likely to be involved in a collision.

"There were 125 collisions involving a male operator under 30 years of age," states the analysis. "This number remained consistent to 2010."

The number of collisions involving drivers over the age of 51 was 175.

CheckStops

Police laid five impaired driving charges as a result of a CheckStop program in which  they checked 6,506 vehicles.

"While the CheckStop program is aimed at detecting impaired drivers in the act, a large component of the program is also aimed at educating the driving public of the dangers and consequences of drinking and driving," states the analysis. "The intent of the program is to change public attitude toward drinking and driving, rather than to just obtain convictions. The vast majority of people passing through our Checkstops complement us on what we are doing, which makes for a positive interaction between police and the community."

The Camrose Police Service's Curb the Danger Program received 320 calls and resulted in 39 drivers being charged with impaired driving. An additional 17 people were given 24-hour suspensions.

"Impaired driving continues to be a problem in our community and our police service has dedicated itself to removing impaired drivers from our roads," states the analysis. "Public awareness through Curb the Danger and through the CheckStop program, as well as member initiated traffic stops, are key strategies in the fight against impaired driving."

The Camrose Police Service will continue to monitor speeds through photo radar and enforce the new distracted driving law, which came into effect in 2011.

"A reduction in speed lowers the amount of kinetic energy involved in a collision and therefore lowers the amount of property damage and the risk of being involved in a collision," states the analysis.