October 22, 2024
Cape Breton Regional Police issued another 147 charges to drivers through targeted traffic enforcement in the CBRM during Operation Impact, an annual campaign held on Thanksgiving weekend across Canada to promote safe driving behaviours.
Between October 11-14, officers issued Summary Offence Tickets for driving infractions, including: 48 for Speeding, 2 for Failing to Yield to Pedestrians within a Crosswalk, 1 for Failing to Drive to Right and Side and Stop on Approach of an Emergency Vehicle, 1 for Failing to Stop at the Scene of an Accident, 1 for Operating a Vehicle While Passenger under 16 not Secured in the Proper Child Restraint, and 94 for Driving Motor Vehicles without Valid License, Insurance, Registration or Inspection in cooperation with Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Compliance.
October is Intersection Safety Month in Nova Scotia, and reduced daylight hours make things harder to see, while there are still lots of cyclists and pedestrians as part of moving traffic. Road safety is a shared responsibility and police remind all road users to stay alert, avoid distractions, follow traffic signs and signals, stay visible with headlights or reflective clothing and always think before you move.
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 and Scooters:
- Make sure your equipment is 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. And, 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.
