Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/556526
40 W E S T W O R L D A L B E R T A | F A L L 2 0 1 5 keith winsor THE RURAL DRIVER: ANDREA MILLIGAN by Justin Bell "T he three-second following distance doesn't necessarily apply because there's no one there," jokes AMA member Andrea Milligan when asked to describe what it's like driv- ing in the Peace River region. It's a lighthearted, yet serious comment that highlights the increased risk of high- way driving. About 68% of fatal collisions in Alberta occur on rural roads, a statistic Milligan knows all too well. It doesn't matter if there are other vehicles on the road, there are still hazards. "I've had friends killed in wildlife col- lisions. It's a fact of life for those of us who drive out here," she says. "You have to be just as attentive on rural roads as you are when driv- ing in the city." Constantly, Milligan scans the road and shoulders for animals. "I don't often drive without seeing something – deer, moose, coyotes, even bears on the side of the road." Naturally, r ural driving presents an increased risk of serious injury in a collision due to the high speeds at which vehicles are travelling. Wildlife, driver fatigue, merging and lane chang- ing are other hazards to be mindful of. "I see a lot of drivers not merging properly, not building up speed so they can safely merge onto the high- way." An even worse scenario is stopping at the end of the on-ramp. Not only does the stopped motorist have to get up to speed with less room, but so do the other vehicles stopped behind. While Milligan can't control other motor- ists or wildlife, she can control her own behav- ior. She avoids driving when she's tired. Driving while fatigued slows down your reac- tion time, decreases awareness and impairs judgment. Often, she has to drive five hours one-way to Edmonton for early morning med- ical appointments. If she finds herself getting tired, she pulls over at a rest area and takes a nap until she's rested. In town, there are different things to pay attention to, similar to driving in a larger urban centre. On a regular basis she sees motorists blow through playground zones, cars rolling through stop signs and drivers not wearing seatbelts. "Rural drivers are some- times a bit more relaxed because there's less traffic around, but that shouldn't make a dif- ference." Drivers should obey the rules and drive safely no matter where they are. W DRIVING