SELECTED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (STEP) - Commercial Vehicle Safety

Alberta’s Traffic Safety Calendar marks June as Commercial Vehicle Safety Month.  Throughout the month, Peace Officers will be running projects to inspect commercial vehicles and capture traffic violations that may contribute to collisions involving commercial vehicles.

Driving Tips

• Stay far enough behind a commercial vehicle so that you can see both of its side mirrors.
• Don’t tailgate. If the commercial vehicle in front of you brakes suddenly, then you may not have enough time to come to a stop.
• Leave at least three metres between your vehicle and the rear of a truck stopped at a light or a stop sign.
• Always signal your intent to turn or change lanes early as commercial vehicles require more stopping distance.
• Use caution when passing a large commercial vehicle as they require more time and space than when passing a passenger vehicle. It is safe to move back into the right-hand lane when you can see the entire truck in your rear view mirror.
• Remember commercial vehicles may have to use two lanes to make their turn, leave space and use caution when around these vehicles.

BYLAW ENFORCEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM (BEEP) - Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parking & Securing Loose Loads

Throughout the month of June, officers from Enforcement Services will be patrolling the City to ensure RVs are parked legally.

From April 1 to October 31 each year, an RV registered to a City of Grande Prairie address can be parked on the street in a location directly adjacent to the owner’s address for a maximum of 48 consecutive hours.  After that time, the RV must be moved to an off-road location for at least 24 hours before it can be parked on the roadway again.

• RV parking is permitted on an approved driveway as long as the RV (including the hitch) does not overhang the sidewalk.
• An individual may not occupy an RV or travel trailer at any time while it is parked on public property (roadway or parking lot).
• RVs in residential areas are not to be used for living or sleeping accommodation for more than 14 days a year.
• RVs are not be parked on the street in any manner as to create an obstruction or prevent the safe passage of vehicles or pedestrians.

Securing Loose Loads

As we are well into spring, many people in Grande Prairie are cleaning up their yards. If you are transporting materials to the landfill or to a storage facility, remember that loads must be secured/covered to ensure materials do not fall from the vehicle. Unsecured loads may result in a fine and drivers may also be required to pay increased landfill fees.

Failure to secure loads prior to hauling materials may result in a fine. Fines range from $115 to $465.