Just after noon on December 28, 2015 a serious collision occurred on the Trans Canada just west of Chestermere in the east bound lanes. Witnesses report that a flat bed tow truck had been pulled onto the shoulder and had just loaded a vehicle when a PT Cruiser came around the slippery bend and slammed into the stopped truck.
Calgary EMS reports that “Shortly after noon, today, Monday December 28, 2015, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedics from Chestermere and Calgary, including the district supervisor to act as EMS scene command, responded to the eastbound lanes of Highway 1, just east of Paradise Road, in the vicinity of the City of Chestermere. At this location, paramedics found a two vehicle collision involving a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and flatbed tow truck.
One person, a female, believed to be in her 50’s, was transported to hospital by STARS Air Ambulance. Her condition at time of transport was considered potentially life-threatening due to speculated internal injury. Ground paramedics were able to assess, stabilize and care for this individual while she was extracted from her significantly damaged SUV.
An adult male was also travelling in the SUV, but was uninjured. The operator of the flatbed was also unscathed”.
Effective October 31, 2005, in Alberta it became law that motorists must slow to 60km/h or less if the posted speed is lower when passing stopped emergency vehicles or tow trucks on the same side of the highway with their flashing lights in operation. Tow trucks were included in this legislation as they regularly assist with emergencies that require them to work on or near the roadway assisting motorists.
The penalty for not adhering to this is as follows and is the doubled fees indicated:
| Speed | Demerit | Fine Range | ||
| 1-15 km over | 2 | $57 – 89, includes surcharge ($114-178) doubled | ||
| 16-30 km over | 3 | $103-177, includes surcharge ($206-354) doubled | ||
| 31-50 km over | 4 | $187-351, includes surcharge ($374-702) doubled | ||
| Over 50 km over | 6 | Mandatory Court appearance. Fines are at the discretion of the Court. |
SafeRoads Alberta says that this legislation was brought forward because “A number of people have been killed or injured working on or adjacent to the roadway. This new law will make it safer for police officers, firefighters, ambulance workers, tow truck drivers and construction workers who work on or near Alberta’s busy roadways”.
This December 28th crash left east bound Highway 1 was closed from Paradise Road for over three hours while emergency crews helped the victims and the vehicles involved were removed from the scene. RCMP say the crash remains under investigation.
