In the policing world, when one or more vehicles attempt to occupy the same space as another object in traffic, it is called a collision.
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While this would meet the definition of an accident — an unexpected and undesirable event, especially one resulting in damage or harm — I would challenge the notion that it is unexpected.
An accident is more akin to knocking over a saltshaker and spilling salt or walking around the corner of a building and bumping into someone. While being involved in a collision is certainly undesirable, it can be a stretch to say it was unexpected for a driver who was at fault. Doing something contrary to traffic laws and becoming involved in a collision should, in many cases, be expected.
Lloydminster sees a high number of vehicle collisions, virtually all of which are preventable.
Anyone driving around Lloydminster will likely witness traffic infractions within a couple of blocks of leaving their location.
As Insp. Brian Nicholl has echoed to the chamber of commerce, traffic remains one of the most common complaints he hears.
I would find it hard to believe that most readers have never broken a traffic law or observed others doing so.
There is no need to look any further than a red light, where some drivers immediately look down at their phones while stopped.
People are required to pass exams before they can drive without supervision, so there is little room for excuses when it comes to breaking traffic laws.
This suggests that drivers are either willingly breaking the law or engaging in behaviours, such as distracted driving, that lead to traffic offences.
It is difficult to attend fatal collision scenes where a 21-year-old nursing student is killed because a driver was distracted, or where a six-year-old child dies because a parent was distracted. Attending these types of collisions is what made distracted driving such a priority for me when I was a general duty officer. How do we explain these tragedies when they are so easily preventable?
Trying to get somewhere a little faster than traffic laws allow will not save more than a minute, if that, but it will put the driver, other motorists and pedestrians at unnecessary risk. Running a yellow or red light only to stop at the next red light offers no benefit. Checking messages while driving simply demonstrates a lack of self-control and a willingness to put others at risk.
Local detachment officers are issuing a large number of violation tickets because many drivers are willing to contravene traffic safety laws, and yes, this includes glazing.
While collisions are not typically intentional, it is difficult to argue they are unexpected when drivers significantly increase their risk by demonstrating a lack of control over their driving habits. A driver committing numerous offences within a block or two should consider involvement in a collision an expected outcome.
Harsh words, perhaps, but collisions are often injurious or deadly.
Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbown is the NCO in charge of the Lloydminster RCMP detachment’s General Investigation Section. Stay tuned for future online columns from the Lloydminster RCMP.
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