RCMP highway patrols are being restructured and will affect the way some policing is done in the Provost area, says Sgt. Jim McDonald.

The plan will see the new mandate operated by Traffic Services and means that there will be more enforcement teams brought to the area in a bid to reduce fatalities in rural Alberta.

That means, says McDonald that there will be fewer single RCMP cars from Camrose seen on highways enforcing speeding so the local RCMP will likely be out filling in some of those gaps.

In the meantime the increase in visits of enforcement teams of eight officers will increase. These teams have visited Provost and area on occasion but will soon be more visible.

The officers are being directed through a new national directive to focus on the strategic traffic enforcement program (STEP) . “Their push is to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities in Alberta” McDonald said.

Three major causes of these accidents have been identified as lack of seat belt use, failing to stop at rural stop signs and impaired driving.