Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
Last winter my car was stolen from in front of my house. It was a very cold day, so after starting it I went into my house to stay warm. When I returned to where I left my car running it was gone. I was told it is against the law to leave a car running and unattended. If that’s true, are we supposed to sit in a cold car and freeze before it warms up? On cold days it takes my car 20 minutes to warm up.
No one wants to sit in a freezing cold car for 20 minutes waiting for it to warm up. You don’t have to. The Regina Traffic Bylaw states, “No person shall park on any public highway (or street), with the engine running unless the vehicle remains in charge and under the control of an operator or is completely locked and with the emergency brake on.
So if you don’t want to stay in your car while it’s running, you can apply the emergency brake and lock all the doors. Hopefully, you have a spare key.
(Regina Bylaw 9900, Section 51)
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
Why do school buses in Regina not use the “stop arm” on the side of the bus and their “flashing red lights”, when dropping off or picking up students? I would think that using these devises would only increase safety.
City of Regina Bylaw 9900, Section 28, prohibits the use of the school bus stop arm and flashing safety lights. The authority to use of the safety lights and stop arm are given to municipalities because city streets have different characteristics than rural roads and roads in smaller communities.
Some reasons the safety lights and stop arms are NOT used in Regina:
1. School buses in Regina load and unload passengers near intersections whenever one of the passengers needs to cross the street. The students exit the school bus and stays on the sidewalk while the school bus drives away. They proceed to the nearest intersection and cross the street taking all normal precautions they have been taught. At the intersection, the pedestrian has the right-of-way and has a clear view of oncoming traffic. The school bus is not blocking the visibility of the pedestrian.
2. The use of stop arms and safety lights may promote the crossing of streets from behind parked vehicles and mid-block.
3. These devices could give the students a false sense of security and therefore not take normal precautions to avoid motorists who do not obey them for one reason or another.
4. In most situations in Regina, school buses have a parking lane in which to stop. They load and unload on the right hand side of the street. Therefore, the stopping of traffic would not be necessary and could create more of a hazard than the degree of safety it provides.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
There are some streets in Regina that I feel should have a higher speed limit. Who decides what speed limit should be set on any given stretch of road, and how is that decision made?
The authority to change or set legal speed limits rests with City Council. The City Administration makes a technical recommendation to City Council of what the speed limit should be based on what is called “the 85th percentile”. The 85th percentile means the speed at which 85% of drivers operate. This method of determining speed limits is a nationally accepted procedure.
Remember, posted speed limits are set based on ideal weather and dry road conditions. Motorists are expected to reduce their speed when weather and road conditions dictate.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
I live on a busy street and can hear loud stereos from vehicles passing by my house. Is there a law against playing car stereos too loud?
The Regina Noise Bylaw 6980 states that no person shall make any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise which annoys, disturbs, injuries, endangers or detracts other persons within the limits of the City, except to the extent that is allowed by this Bylaw. A person playing their car stereo excessively loud can be charged under this bylaw if a complaint is received and the complainant is willing to provide a statement and appear in court to testify, if necessary.
Sgt. Koroluk,
I read the column about loud car stereos with renewed hope. However, even though the practice of booming the subwoofers is so common on the streets of Regina, you’d think the police would be more pro-active in pulling cars over and responding to complaints. But that’s not what I’m seeing. Not yet anyway.
Thank-you for your email, and thank-you for reading my column in the Sun.
Regarding your concerns about loud vehicles, we do what we can to enforce “loud vehicle” laws. However, we must deal with complaints on a priority basis. When we receive complaints regarding dangerous driving situations, we deal with those first over noise or parking complaints. We have over 100 schools and playground zones in Regina that get a lot of our attention. We also receive hundreds of calls regarding excessive speeding in other areas which require immediate attention. I know that loud vehicles are very annoying and we do receive many complaints each year, so we will continue to enforce those laws as time and resources permit. I can assure you, when officers come across loud vehicles, or if they are pulled into one of our many check stops, we do take enforcement action.
Thank-you again.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
Is there a law stating that I must slow down for construction workers? When construction workers are on the highway, they usually have a sign indicating 60 Km/hr. Is that a cautionary sign or can I actually be charged for going faster than 60 km/hr even if the speed limit on that highway is 100 km/hr?
You MUST slow down when passing construction workers. If you are travelling on a highway where the normal posted speed limit is 100 km/hr, then the reduced speed limit will be 60 km/hr. Police will enforce the 60 km/hr speed limit in these construction zones and charge violators. Fines for speeding in construction zones start at $210.00. If you fail to slow down at all and are ticketed for travelling 100 Km/hr in the construction zone, the voluntary payment amount will be $360.00. The Traffic Safety Act also states that every driver must obey the directions of a flag person or peace officer who is directing traffic.
The Regina Traffic Bylaw has an additional bylaw that covers speed limits in construction zones where the normal speed limit is less than 100 Km/hr, in which case the reduced speed limit will be approximately 60% of the normal speed limit. Example: In a 80 km/hr zone the reduced construction zone speed limit will be 50 Km/hr. In a 60 km/hr zone the reduced speed limit will be 35 km/hr. In a 50 km/hr zone the reduced speed limit will be 30 km/hr.
So remember, the best way to avoid receiving a ticket and a huge fine is to watch for and obey all traffic signs and traffic control devices.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
We live in an area where there are no back yards. It is not a great area to live if you have a pet dog. That is why we don’t have one. Our neighbor on the other hand does have a dog and lets it out in the front yard to do its business. Unfortunate the dog does not recognize properties lines and come onto my front yard and sidewalk and I find the evidence almost every day. They refuse to pick up after the dog. Is there a law that would require owners to clean their dog’s messes and if so who do I complain to?
Regina Bylaw 10118, The Dog Control Bylaw, states: “Where a dog has defecated on public property, or private property, without the consent of the owner of the property, the owner of the dog shall immediately remove the defecation.
The Regina Humane Society, Animal Protection Services enforces the Dog Control Bylaw. You can report violations by calling 777-7700. The fine for violating this bylaw is $100.00
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
I have a question for your column in the Regina Sun, which is a great column! When a pedestrian is crossing the road at an intersection (not one with flashing pedestrian lights) how long does a driver have to wait before proceeding? Does the pedestrian have to be off the road and on the sidewalk or can drivers proceed once the pedestrian has crossed in front of their vehicle?
Thank-you for reading my column in the Regina Sun. To answer your question, you must wait until the pedestrian clears the ‘half’ of the roadway that you are travelling on. So if the pedestrian is walking towards the curb on your side of the two way street, you must wait until they are on the curb. If the pedestrian is crossing to the other side of the street, you can proceed once the pedestrian crosses the center of the roadway, heading towards the curb on the opposite side of the street
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
I recently was in a situation where I was travelling west approaching an intersection. A vehicle that was traveling east, coming towards me, was approaching the same intersection at the same time. We were both turning to go north bound at the intersection. We both had green traffic lights and there is only one lane going north from that intersection. We both attempted to turn onto the same lane at the same time. Who has the right of way?
In your situation the traffic control does not regulate who has the right of way because both of you had a green light. It is the responsibility of the vehicle that is making the left hand turn to yield to approaching vehicles, even if the approaching vehicle makes a right turn at the intersection. If there were two lanes going north from the intersection, each vehicle would have their own lane to turn into.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
What are the rules regarding the installation and use of fog lamps?
Auxiliary driving lamps or fog lamps, installed on a vehicle operated on a public road, must be mounted no higher than the headlamp system. Low beam driving and fog lamps must be focused at least as low and as far right as the low beam head lamps. High beam driving lamps must be focused at least as low and as far right as the high beam head lamps and must switch off when the low beam headlamps are operating. Fog lamps and low beam driving lamps can be used at the same time as the low beam head lamps. High beam driving lamps can be used at the same time as high beam head lamps. Auxiliary driving lamps or fog lamps can be amber or white in color and the lamp lens and reflector must be specifically designed for use as a fog or auxiliary driving lamps (and must be identified with SAE codes and “F”, “Y” or “Z”, respectively). Any lamp that does not comply with the above standards is considered an “off-road” lamp, must be covered with an opaque cover and is banned from being used on a public road.
Section 33(1) of The Vehicle Equipment Regulations apply: Auxiliary lamps 33(1) If the vehicle is equipped with auxiliary headlamps, fog lamps or driving lamps, those lamps shall be: (a) Focused at least as low and as far to the right as the low beam of the headlamps; or (b) Connected so that they are switched off when the low beam is selected. (2) The auxiliary lamps shall be mounted no higher than the headlamps except where front mounted equipment makes that impracticable.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
I was driving through a school zone in East Regina and saw a large billboard sign on a trailer that showing the speeds of vehicles driving by. What is that billboard used for? Who looks after it?
What you saw is an electronic speed message board “Speed Trailer”. Its purpose is to make motorists aware of their speeds as they enter school zones and other speed zones. We also place it in areas where we receive requests from the public complaining of speeders. The speed sign is managed by the Regina Police Service and is moved to different areas of the city on a daily basis. We may have officers doing enforcement in the same area in conjunction with the sign.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
Last week while driving down Albert Street, I came across a person standing on the side of the street hitchhiking. I stopped to give the person a ride, but am now wondering if hitchhiking is legal.
It is not legal to hitchhike in the City of Regina. Section 19 of the Regina Traffic Bylaw 9900 states: “No person standing or walking on a street, sidewalk or boulevard shall solicit a ride from the operator of a vehicle by word or any action whatsoever”. This Bylaw only applies within the city limits of Regina. The fine is $90.00.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
Recently I was sent a red light camera ticket in the mail. I went through the red light because I was unable to stop due to icy roads. Do the police take icy roads into consideration when issuing these red light violations?
Red traffic lights are in effect and enforceable at all times, regardless of road conditions, and you MUST stop. A posted speed limit is the maximum speed the law allows in ideal driving conditions. When the road surface is less than ideal you will need to adjust your speed accordingly. It is every driver’s responsibility to be able to correctly make that assessment. The more experienced you are, the better equipped you will be to determine what speed you should be travelling. New drivers should always slow down and take extra care when driving on icy roads to compensate for their inexperience.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
My neighbour parks his large truck on the street in front of my house. It takes up 3 parking spots and because we are on a cul-de-sac we have no place to park. Is he allowed to park there and if so for how long?
No vehicle is allowed to park on any City street for longer than 24 hours at a time, except for Saturday, Sunday and holidays. If the vehicle is over 6 meters long, however, it is only allowed to be parked on the street for a maximum of 2 hours at a time, even on weekends and holidays. The 2 hour limit does not apply to large vehicles owned by the City of Regina or any recreational vehicle.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
I see many large delivery vehicles driving down my street using it as a short cut. Sometimes the vehicles are so large that my house shakes when they drive by. Isn’t there a Bylaw that restricts the size of vehicles that are allowed on side streets?
Yes there are route restrictions for “Heavy Vehicles” (any vehicle that exceeds 9000 kilograms including the load weight). The City of Regina has designated “Pick-up and Delivery Vehicle Routes” for heavy vehicles under 8.6 meters in length. The City of Regina also has designated routes for vehicles 8.6 meters in length or longer called “Heavy or Long Combination Vehicle Routes”. There are substantially less Heavy or Long Combination Vehicle Routes and are primarily the larger and busier thoroughfares in each area of the city. It is against the Bylaw for a heavy vehicle to travel on a street that is not designated a route for the type of heavy vehicle being operated. However, a heavy vehicle may travel on a street NOT designated as a Pick-up and Delivery Vehicle Route or a Heavy or Long Combination Vehicle Route if; 1) Making a pick-up or delivery in the area 2) Travelling to or from the business premise of the owner or operator 3) Proceeding to or from a garage for purpose of repairs or fuelling 4) Being operated in the service of the City 5) Under escort of Police or City of Regina with a Temporary Street Use Permit
The City of Regina has maps showing which streets are designated as Pick-up and Delivery Vehicle Routes and Heavy or Long Combination Vehicle Routes (Schedule A and B of the City of Regina Traffic Bylaw 9900). You can find the City of Regina Bylaw Traffic Bylaw 9900 on the City of Regina website http://www.regina.ca
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
I was recently in an accident with another vehicle. Before police arrived, both vehicles were in the middle of the intersection blocking traffic. As far as I’m concerned, this created a dangerous situation. Should we have moved our vehicles off to the side of the road before police arrived?
You are not required to report minor vehicle collisions to police, as long all parties involved exchange contact information. In the event of a minor non-reportable collision, motorists should stop in a safe location to exchange information. If you are involved in a serious (reportable collision), it is always best not to move the vehicles until police arrive. This will assist police in their investigation. However, if the position of vehicles is creating a dangerous situation, I would recommend moving them to a safe location, to the side of the road. In some circumstances the vehicle(s) are not operational and therefore cannot be moved. In that case the vehicle’s hazard lights should be activated and motorists should find a nearby location away from their vehicles to wait for police. Some motorists have emergency equipment such as flares and reflective warning signs that may be used to warn others coming upon the scene. Please advise police dispatcher if the vehicles are causing a hazardous situation.
Reportable Accidents:
1. Accidents involving injuries or death
2. Accidents involving an unregistered vehicle
3. Accidents involving an unidentified vehicle
4. Accidents which require a vehicle to be towed from the scene
5. Accidents where a driver is apparently under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Staff Sgt. Koroluk,
My son received several traffic tickets over the last year. What will happen to him if he fails to pay the fines?
Violators charged with a traffic violation are given a court appearance date which is indicated on the traffic ticket. Furthermore, for most traffic charges the police officer is able to specify a voluntary payment amount on the ticket. If the voluntary payment is made by the date indicated on the ticket, the violator will not be required to appear in traffic court. If a violator fails to pay the ticket AND fails to appear in traffic safety court on the date indicated, either a warrant is issued for their arrest or the violator’s driver’s licence will be flagged by SGI and the fine amount, plus additional surcharge is added to the cost of the violator’s driver’s licence on renewal. Which process is taken depends on the type of violation committed.