Drivers urged to brush up on their hazard perception
Posted May 27, 2013 10:48 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Alberta Motor Association says the only way to reduce some of the carnage on area roads and highways is with people accepting more responsibility while behind the wheel.
Over the weekend, emergency responders were called out to a number of wrecks.
One man was killed in a fiery head-on crash involving a semi and a jeep Saturday afternoon on Highway 8.
Sunday afternoon, two men on a motorbike were hurt when they were knocked to the pavement by a cube ban.
Sunday night, eight people including four children were rushed to hospital following a three vehicle wreck on Springbank road, just west of Calgary.
Don Szarko with the Alberta Motor Association says they have done a number of studies which show when it comes to road safety, drivers are the weakest link.
Szarko says drivers need to hone their defensive driving skills by improving what’s called hazard perception.
He says drivers should be shoulder checking as well as checking their rearview and side mirrors every eight seconds.
The AMA says only by being aware of the environment outside of your vehicle can a person reduce their chances of being involved in a crash.
Other common mistakes made by drivers are speeding, following too close and making illegal turns and lane changes.
Szarko says it’s never to late to brush up on your defensive driving skills.
