May 21, 2024
Cape Breton Regional Police issued another 99 charges to drivers through targeted traffic enforcement in the CBRM during Canada Road Safety Week, a national campaign to encourage safe driving behaviours on “every road, every day, for everyone.”
Between May 13-20, officers issued Summary Offence Tickets for a variety of driving infractions including: 44 for Speeding; 5 for Failing to Stop at a Stop Sign; 2 for Not Wearing a Seatbelt; 1 for Driving while Using a Hand-Held Communications Device; 5 for Operating Vehicles not Equipped with a Proper Muffler; and 30 for Driving Motor Vehicles without Valid License, Insurance, Registration or Inspection.
Police also caught 6 Impaired Drivers, and charged 1 person with Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Flight from Police, after he was caught for driving circles in the middle of roadway.
Spring and summer means more traffic, and more pedestrians, children playing, pets and wildlife. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and police remind all road users – motorists, cyclists and pedestrians – to stay alert and choose safe habits.
Motorists:
- Obey posted speed limits, signage and traffic signals, and avoid distractions
- Shoulder-check and use your mirrors
- Stay alert to pedestrians and yield to crosswalks; even if unmarked, any intersection is considered a crosswalk.
- Pay attention to cyclists and allow the required 1-metre clearance when passing them
Cyclists:
- Make sure your bike and its parts are in working order.
- Always wear a helmet and visible clothing.
- Ride in single file on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic and signal your turns and stops.
- Obey signage and traffic signals.
- Stay alert for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Pedestrians:
- Cross at intersections with a marked crosswalk or traffic signals.
- Pay attention to your surroundings and stay alert for vehicles and cyclists.
- Make eye contact with drivers, wait for vehicles to stop and look both ways before crossing.
- Look both ways before crossing.
Helmets are also mandatory for motorcycle drivers and motorcycles must be inspected and insured. If you own and operate an off-road vehicle, there are rules and regulations in place about where and how you can drive them: always remember to wear a helmet, drive in designated areas and maintain a valid permit.
