SurDel Drivers School Ltd.

09/13/2026

With children and youth returning to school, the Canada Safety Council reminds drivers to be extra cautious on the roads during this busy time of year.

“We owe it to the young people in our communities to review and respect the rules around school zones,” says Jack Smith, president of the Canada Safety Council. “As the summer break come to a close, remember that extra traffic on the road means increased likelihood of collisions.”

Driving Tips to Keep Kids Safe

1. Reduce your speed. Be more careful in residential areas where children are present. Respect speed limits in school zones and playground zones.

2. Stop for school buses displaying the flashing red lights and the extended stop arm. In most cases, traffic in both directions must stop for school buses. Do not continue on until the flashing lights stop.

3. Obey crossing guards.

4. Never overtake other vehicles within a school zone or within a half block of any crosswalk.

5. Avoid U-turns and three-point turns in school zones. Children can have a difficult time predicting these types of vehicle manoeuvers.

6. Give cyclists a wide berth (a minimum clearance of one metre is the rule in some jurisdictions).

7. Shoulder check before opening your vehicle door.

8. Leave extra time to reach your destination.

9. If you observe reckless driving or suspect a driver is impaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so, and report the incident to police by calling 911.

10. Choose public transit and active modes of transportation, if and whenever possible. One less car on the road makes the road that much safer for everyone.



If you must drive your children to school

11. Let kids off away from traffic. Usually, that is the passenger side of the vehicle.

12. Walk a block. To help avoid vehicle congestion in the immediate vicinity of the school, consider parking a short distance away, and walk your kids the rest of the way.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s all do our part to keep kids safe this back-to-school season.

Quick Stats

A total of 10,764 children ages 5 to 16 were hit and injured by motor vehicles while they were on foot or bike in the five years between 2008 and 2012 (the latest data available). This works out to an average of 2,767 children per year, or approximately eight children per day.

These statistics include 79 young pedestrians who were killed and 37 young cyclists killed in crashes with motor vehicles during the same five year period.

September to November tend to be the worst months for young pedestrians, while June is typically the worst month for motor vehicle collisions involving young cyclists.

07/19/2026

Prepare Your Vehicle for Summer DrivingWhile most people know about winterizing their car, many people don't realize their car has special summer needs too. Here are a few things to check as you set out on your summer travels:

Check your tires for wear and alignment and make certain they have equal pressure. This will help you stop quickly without sliding in emergency situations. It will also give you better gas mileage.
Check your cooling system. Make certain your radiator isn't clogged, and all the hoses and belts in your engine are working properly.
Good spark plugs and a clean air filter add up to better gas mileage.
Check all your fluid levels.
Make sure your wipers and windshield washer fluid are ready to remove bugs, dust and dirt.
Get your brakes checked. The time spent getting them inspected may save your life later!
Ensure all head restraints are properly adjusted.
Be prepared for trouble. Make certain you have an emergency kit, a good spare tire, tire changing tools, an extra bottle of water for your radiator and a flashlight.
After a rest stop and at the beginning of each travel day, always walk around your vehicle and check for anything unusual before you resume your trip.
Fuel up: distances between service stations on rural highways can be considerable.
Gone electric? Find tips on making your trip in B.C.

05/14/2026

Defining Distracted

Distracted driving is defined as anything that involves sharing your focus between driving and a secondary task – an offence that is punishable by a $287 fine, three demerit points, and the likelihood of increased insurance costs. Alberta’s Ministry of Transportation lists the following as being prohibited under the Traffic Safety Act:

Using your mobile phone
Texting (this includes when stopped at a red light)
Using any other electronic devices, including laptops, gaming devices, cameras, and mp3 players
Typing information into a GPS
Reading, writing, printing or sketching
Any personal grooming, like applying makeup, shaving, and flossing teeth.
There are, of course, some exceptions. The following are a few examples of things not specifically covered by the act:

Eating and drinking
Smoking
Speaking with your passengers
Using a phone hands-free
More than a fine
As stated above, drivers in Alberta caught driving while distracted will be hit with a fine and demerit points. The impact of distracted driving, however, can go far beyond a simple ticket. According to the Calgary Herald, in the past two years, Alberta has seen an unbelievable 58% rise in distracted driving accidents – the biggest increase in all of Canada.

This means that despite the increased fine associated with distracted driving, more Albertans than ever are risking their own safety and the safety of other drivers by failing to give the road their full attention. A distracted driver is 3 times more likely to be involved in an accident, which is why distracted driving is rapidly becoming even more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. In the event of an accident, a ticket is the least of your worries.

What can you do?
Now that we’ve gone through the terrifying reality of distracted driving in Alberta, you might be wondering how you can avoid distractions on the road. Here are some quick tips to follow so you can do your part to make Alberta’s roads safer:

Plan in advance: Program your GPS, answer your texts, and make any necessary phone calls before you leave home. That way, you’ll be less likely to have a pressing distraction from your electronic devices while you’re travelling.
Autoreply: Set up an automatic response text or email that tells the person contacting you that you’re busy and that you’ll get back to them when it’s safe.
Avoid complicated foods and beverages: While it isn’t technically against the law to eat and drink while you’re driving, complex packaging, takeout bags, and messy foods can be distracting enough to cause an accident. Stick with small snacks if you must eat while driving.
Make yourself comfortable: Be sure to adjust your seat, mirrors, and AC before setting out, so you won’t need to adjust them en route.

04/20/2026

https://www.fourpawspa.ca/

Great Dog Grooming - Professionals

04/20/2026