Injury collisions down in the city

RCMP are reporting that injury collisions in Chestermere have decreased by 13 per cent compared to last fiscal year.
“I’m hopeful that some of the initiatives we have underway currently are making an impact,” said Chestermere RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz.
RCMP are focusing on injury collisions rather that reportable collisions because of the relatively low threshold that requires all damage of $2000 or more to be reported to police.
“A crack in a bumper could be $2000 these days,” said Wielgosz.
Overall collisions have remained relatively static in the city, but the severity has been decreasing.
Injury collisions are down by 13 per cent year over year and were down by 15 per cent in the last quarter of October to December of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
Part of this decrease may be attributable to the enhanced road safety program however Wielgosz said he is waiting until the program has been running for at least a year before he draws and conclusions on the overall impact of the program on road safety in Chestermere.
“I’m hopeful that it’s having an impact, but I’d say it’s kind of early to say right now,” said Wielgosz.
He is tracking the stats on the program to monitor the efficacy of the program. One thing police have found is that about 60 per cent of people stopped on city streets are not from Chestermere.
Along with the enhanced road safety program that has been in operation since August, RCMP have increased their focus on impaired driving in the city.
Along with the improvements in safety on city roads, Wielgosz is hopeful that the increased visibility of police in the city through the enhanced road safety initiative will also have a deterring effect on property crime.