An information session, “The Law and You” was held last Friday evening to address basic laws that newcomers or citizens alike may be unaware of.
Among the topics was information on distracted driving laws, the difference between 911 and non-emergency dispatch number, the high rate of auto theft in the area and tips for defensive driving.
Cst. Harry Ray, the RCMP officer presenting at the forum, also gave tips on how to avoid wildlife if they walk onto the road, which is to drive to the animals tail end.
“It was a productive, well-worth session,” said Fleeha Ahmad, with RockyView Immigrant Services part of Calgary Catholic Immigrant Services. “It was a lot of information, a lot of interactions, a lot of questions answered.”
Ahmad said the evening especially benefitted people who have recently moved from provinces with different procedures for things such as fender-benders and people moving to Cochrane form countries with different laws altogether.
“I find sometimes you think you know, but when you’re in that situation you don’t,” she said. “That’s our primary reason to host these sessions, so people can gain the knowledge and have accurate information of what to do and how to go about it when and if they’re in a situation.”
In addition to providing information to new comers, Ahmad said it’s also useful for those who are just unaware of some policies, since there are not many sessions that present on specific topics on the law.
“That’s the problem and why we hosted this. There are not many workshops that focus on just isolated topics, it’s all very general,” she said. “It’s a good chance to come out and have a comfortable set up to ask questions you might have.”
