Cold Lake RCMP updates vehicle collision reporting rules

Effective January 01, 2024, the property damage motor vehicle collision reporting threshold increased from $2000 to $5000 combined damage.

Cold Lake RCMP would like to educate citizens what to do and what their obligations are if they are involved in a motor vehicle collision in the New Year:

• Check yourself, your passengers, as well as the other vehicle occupants to see if medical help is required. If so, call 911 immediately for an ambulance.
• If an ambulance is not required, please take a quick picture of the vehicles, then move them out of the roadway to a safe location if they are driveable.  Ensure the other driver knows to meet you there.
• If the vehicles are NOT driveable AND blocking traffic, call the RCMP at 780-594-3301 or 911.
• Once parked in a safe location, take a picture or record the other driver’s license, registration and insurance.  Ensure the other driver takes a picture of your documents as well.  Also, exchange phone numbers.  At this point, you are free to leave without police attending.
• Contact your insurance company and advise them you were in a collision. They will give you instructions on how/where to tow your vehicle and how to obtain damage estimates.  Follow the insurance company’s directions for repair.
• When you obtain your estimate:

            1) if under $5000, call the other driver to determine if combine damage exceeds $5000

            2) if over $5000, call and report to RCMP at 780-594-3302.

There is no need to report your motor vehicle collision to the police UNLESS one or more of the following occurs:

1. Injury is involved
2. Either driver fails to exchange information as outlined above, or drives away before exchanging info (Hit & Run)
3. The damage amount of all vehicles and property combined is over $5000.