During the month of May, the Regina Police Service is reminding all motorists, cyclists and pedestrians that they share responsibility for safe use of our intersections and crosswalks in Regina. This month, as the Traffic Focus of the Month, officers will be directing extra attention to Pedestrian Crossings. Here are some things traffic officers want Regina residents to remember:
- Pay attention! Using the road requires full concentration, whether you are driving, walking, cycling or running.
- Drivers can be easily distracted by many things, including passengers in the vehicle and visual clutter along our roadways. Remember that it’s illegal to use a cell phone while driving. Cell phones and communication devices can be distracting for pedestrians, too: don’t text while crossing a street.
- Drivers need to be especially careful when turning, and when passing vehicles that have stopped. It is illegal to pass a vehicle stopped for a crossing pedestrian, even to make a turn.
- Pedestrians always need to be aware and cautious. Pedestrians may have the right of way at crosswalks but are not protected from the injury that may be inflicted by an automobile.
- There is a crosswalk at every intersection, whether it’s marked by lines or not. Drivers must always yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully in crosswalks. Drivers should be aware of new pedestrians entering a crosswalk.
- If a pedestrian crosses a street at a place other than a crosswalk, the vehicle has the right of way. In such a case, it is the pedestrian’s responsibility to yield to the vehicle. Pedestrians should never assume a driver can or will stop. It is the responsibility of the pedestrian to ensure it’s safe to proceed across the roadway.
- Driver-pedestrian collisions are more common on multi-lane roadways. Drivers should never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. Pedestrians should always make sure all lanes of traffic are stopped or clear before crossing the street.
- To ensure sufficient crossing time, pedestrians requiring extra time to cross should wait at the curb until the beginning of a ‘Walk’ signal’.
- Walkers, runners and cyclists can improve their safety by wearing bright clothing for daytime and wearing reflective clothing for low-light or nighttime conditions.
Drivers are reminded that failing to yield for a pedestrian at an intersection or marked crosswalk can result in a $230.00 fine. There is a $150.00 fine for a motorist who passes a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian at an intersection or marked crosswalk. It is a $80.00 fine for a pedestrian to walk into the path of a vehicle while it is unsafe to do so. The Regina Police Service commends those motorists who practice safe driving habits and encourages all users of our roadways to respect the rules of the road.
