Alberta RCMP are again reiterating safety messages to residents as we head into the Labour Day Long Weekend.

It has been a particularly difficult summer for Alberta RCMP,  in just three months they have responded to a higher than usual number of injuries and deaths on roads in the province.

From May to July Alberta RCMP say 1,277 people were injured in collisions and 50 died on roads and highways, 29 cyclists were injured and 2 died, and 145 motorcyclists were injured while 7 died within RCMP jurisdictions.

Southern Alberta RCMP Cpl. Curtis Peters says officers are hoping residents will have a safe long weekend.

"So far this year we've had a pretty dangerous and devastating amount of collisions and fatalities in the province. With this being the last long weekend of the summer, or the last hurrah for the year so to speak, we're hoping that we can see it be done in a safe manner, and not see any fatalities in the province."

During the September long weekend last year, there were 563 people injured and 3 deaths in collisions which occurred in RCMP jurisdictions.

Peters is hoping this year will not be a repeat of that, and stresses a message often put out by RCMP.

"The safety message is always the same yet it seems pretty difficult to follow, don't drink and drive, leave yourself plenty of time to arrive safely, slow it down, and put away the phones. Distracted and impaired driving continue to be the leading causes of collisions for us in Alberta."

If you see suspect someone is impaired behind the wheel, or witness any aggressive driving call police immediately.

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