Slow down

A number of crashes in and around Airdrie in recent days have brought our attention to the dangers of speeding (see page six for details).

Although the investigations are in the early stages and no causes have been determined for the collisions, a crash on April 27 on Highway 63, known as the Highway of Death, resulted in the demise of an 11-year-old Airdrie girl.

The deadly highway was given that name because 46 people have died on that road since 2006.

It is known as a hotbed of speeding and only 19 kilometres of the road have been twinned, leaving 185 kilometres as a dangerous two-lane highway.

Just a day after the crash that killed seven people in total, including a pastor and a pregnant woman, Wood Buffalo RCMP caught up with a motorist driving in excess of 184 km/h on the highway near Hanginstone Park.

The posted speed limit for that stretch of roadway is 100 km/h, and sadly the 20-year-old driver was not the only one who chose to exceed the posted maximum speed.

Another deadly crash, closer to home, on Highway 567 and Symons Valley Road, killed a 50-year-old man when his car crossed the median and struck a semi truck on May 1.

Again, the cause of this collision is unknown and speeding has not been named as a factor by the RCMP, however, observing speed limits, staying focused on the road, being well rested and never drinking and driving are the only way these incidents can be prevented.

All of these deaths are 100 per cent preventable. It is not realistic to stop driving vehicles altogether, even though we know it can be dangerous, but driving safely is up to each of us.

It’s a responsibility we should all take very, very seriously because our actions can save, or take, lives.