New Brunswick RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Luc Picard is urging residents to be careful on the road, especially after a spate of serious collisions. “One fatal crash is one too many, so we urge the population, we urge people on the roads to be careful, to put down the cellphone, observe where you’re going and make sure that you are aware of your environment,” he said. On May 28, a 23-year-old New Maryland man died after police suspect he drove the wrong way and his vehicle collided with another at a high speed near Waasis, N.B. One day later, two women died and a third was in serious collision after the car they were in collided with a transport truck on the Princess Margaret Bridge. On July 24, a 17-year-old riding a motorcycle died in Fredericton after a collision with a pickup truck. The Fredericton Police Force did not provide an interview, but in a statement its spokesperson Sonya Gilks said they continue to investigate serious collisions, and common contributing factors include speed, distraction, impairment, fatigue and not following traffic laws. Picard said the RCMP is working to prevent similar collisions as the summer goes on. “We are proactively trying to do patrols, check stops, the traffic enforcement initiatives, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, just to make sure that we are visible on the road,” he said. Fredericton driver Juanita Porter has a few techniques of her own to stay safe on the roads. “One of the biggest things is to look for people that are crossing crosswalks, because sometimes it seems like drivers want to race to the spot before the pedestrian gets there,” she said. As for motorcycles, she adheres to advice she received about being aware. “Whenever you see a bike, say it in your head and say it out loud, bike, bike, bike, or however many you see,” she said. Noah Starr, owner of the Fredericton Towing Company, said summer is a busy season for him. But there are ways to avoid needing his services, like being prepared before driving. “It’s important to maintain your equipment, the New Brunswick safety inspection is there for a reason,” he said. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
