Canmore RCMP warn against dangerous parking near hiking trails
Posted Feb 4, 2021 3:18 pm.
Last Updated Feb 4, 2021 5:40 pm.
CANMORE (660 NEWS) – As many Albertans enjoy the outdoors with the pandemic putting a damper on indoor activities, Canmore RCMP is stressing you must do so safely.
Mounties have seen a large increase of people visiting Gap Lake and the grotto recreation area near Highway 1A.
Sgt. Stan Andronyk understands people want to be active and enjoy the outdoors, but safety is a top priority.
“We’re trying to draw that line between safety and also we are obliged to conduct enforcement and make sure the area is safe.”
He says parking on the side of the road, especially along the 1A, can pose big safety concerns.
“They may forget that they are on a primary highway. We’ve seen people with their doors open and trunks open and then we see families walking basically on the highway because there’s no room to get around the cars unless you walk right into the driving lane.”
He adds there is plenty of signage along the highway showing where to park and officers will continue to educate, however, they must enforce tickets or tow away vehicles to keep people safe.
He says there already responded to a serious crash after someone tried doing a u-turn on the highway.
