It’s summer and many of the roads and highway throughout Nova Scotia are very busy.
At this time of the year, RCMP see a significant increase in the amount of traffic on provincial roads and highways throughout Nova Scotia and along with that, an increase in the number of collisions.
Police say distracted driving also plays a major factor in the number of collisions during the summer months.
“This is something we’re seeing on a regular basis with people not paying attention and unfortunately the result, in some situations, have resulted in collisions or even worse, collisions resulting in fatalities,” says Cpl. Dal Hutchinson, of the Halifax District RCMP.
Last Friday, a Lunenburg woman narrowly escaped a head-on collision on Highway 103 after her vehicle was sideswiped by an oncoming vehicle.
Hutchinson says if you are involved in a collision on a provincial highway, especially a hit and run, try to get as much information as possible.
“Whether you’re in a near collision or a situation where somebody does strike your vehicle and they fail to stop, try to collect as much details as possible when it’s safe to do so,” notes Hutchinson. “The most important thing is trying to get a licence plate (number) off the vehicle.”
But what do you do if you’re driving and suspect another driver of possibly being impaired?
RCMP Corporal Dal Hutchinson says there is a very slight exception to the rule when it comes to safety behind the wheel and cell phone usage, but only under very special circumstances.
“Then you may find yourself in an emergency situation such as that where you can use your cell phone to call 911,” says Hutchinson, adding, “we would like for people to stay back at a safe distance and try to keep an eye on the suspect vehicle until we’re able to locate it.”
Story by Craig Power
Twitter: @CraigTPower
Email: power.craig@radioabl.ca
