Traffic Safety Archive
Campus Safety eyes aggressive drivers
SGI News Release April 19, 2013
Motorists who exhibit aggressive driving behaviours on Saskatchewan roads will be held accountable for their actions during Operation Spring Brake.
The traffic safety blitz will take place April 24 and 25 across the province. Law enforcement will be putting the brakes on violations such as speeding, driving too fast for road conditions, running red lights, not stopping at stop signs, stunting, racing or passing to the right on a highway.
In 2012, aggressive driving contributed to more than 8,200 collisions in Saskatchewan, resulting in 88 deaths and nearly 4,200 injuries.
Read more at www.sgi.sk.ca
Obstructed windows - Risky and pricey
Large variances in temperature can cause vehicle windows to become fogged or ice covered, which can lead to reduced visibility and make driving difficult. Operating a motor vehicle without a clear view of the road and area around you can lead to collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians or objects near the roadway.
Driving without a clear view can also lead to a $125 fine.
Please plan ahead and scrape all your windows clear and allow fog and mist to disappear before driving.
Valentine's Traffic Project Results
U of S Peace Officers wrote ten tickets to drivers in relation to SGI's Operation Crossroads on February 14th and 15th. Over 400 tickets were issued to drivers across the province for various offences:
- 147 for disobeying red lights/stop signs
three for failing to yield to pedestrians
- 15 for pedestrians disobeying walk signal
- 53 cellphone violations
- 61 seatbelt violations
- 78 speeding violations
seven for prohibited driving
one for impaired driving
- 57 various other infractions
Valentine's Traffic Blitz
Campus Safety wants to make sure you get home safely to your loved ones this Valentine's Day.
Officers on campus, as well as participating agencies province-wide, will be watching intersections for for driving infractions this February 14th and 15th. Whether trying to get to your date on time, or picking up a last minute bouquet of flowers, please remember to proceed safely through every intersection and come to complete stops at all stop signs.
Obscured Vehicle Windows
Campus Safety will be watching for drivers with obscured windows on January 17th and 18th and issuing tickets to motorists who's vision is impeded. Please ensure you always clear your windows of snow and ice, and do not drive your vehicle until interior fogging has disappeared.
Results from Traffic Blitz
Campus Safety surveyed over 900 vehicles on November 14th and 15th during the traffic blitz where drivers were assessed for their seatbelt and mobile device while on campus roadways. Officers issued six tickets for use of an electronic communication device while driving, one ticket for obstructed view, and one for disobey stop sign.
That is good news for the campus community as the vast majority of motorists were found to be driving safely and wearing their seatbelt.
Nov 14th and 15th Traffic Blitz
Campus Safety will be participating in "Operation Hang Up... Buckle Up" next week as part of a province-wide traffic safety blitz. Fines will be given to motorists who are found driving without their seatbelt and/or while using a cellphone.
According to SGI: "Lack of seatbelt use and cellphone use while driving. On average, distracted driving, which includes cellphone use, contributes to more than 9,400 collisions each year, resulting in about 2,400 injuries and 50 deaths. Seven per cent of all injuries and 35 per cent of all fatalities in collisions involve improper seatbelt use, resulting in 448 injuries and 55 fatalities."
Traffic Circle - Roundabout - Tips
There are now two traffic circles on our campus, as well as several more which have appeared throughout Saskatoon. Traffic circles, or roundabouts, are not only more efficient than intersections at moving vehicles, but they are also safer (they calm traffic) and better for the environment (they reduce vehicle idling time).
Some drivers new to Saskatoon and our campus may not be familiar with how traffic circles operate. Campus Safety has provided the following tips to help motorists, pedestrians and cyclists safely traverse our campus roundabouts.
Motorists:
• Reduce your speed as you approach the roundabout.
• Watch for pedestrians.
• Yield to traffic already inside the circle coming from your left.
• Engage your right turn signal and enter the roundabout to your right when it is safe to do so.
• Continue around the circle until you reach your exit.
• Weather permitting, do not slow down or stop to make your exit.
• Exit to your right.
• If you miss your exit, continue around the circle until it comes up again.
Pedestrians:
• Cross at marked crosswalks only.
• If unmarked, cross the roadways as they approach the circle.
• Pedestrians should never enter the circle and should follow the sidewalk.
• Never cross through the centre island.
Cyclists:
• If you are riding with traffic, you must follow the rules for motorists.
• If you have dismounted, you must follow the rules for pedestrians.
Winter Driving Reminder
Campus Safety would like to remind all motorists and pedestrians to be aware of the change in season, and the approaching snowfall with regard to driving habits.
Motorists are advised to drive slowly, increase the distance between their vehicle and others on the road, and provide themselves extra time to get to and from their destination to avoid feeling rushed.
Pedestrians should also be attentive at this time of year and ensure vehicles have come to a complete stop before stepping off the curb at a marked crosswalk.
If you do happen to be involved in a motor vehicle collision, and your vehicles are movable and there are no injuries, please remove them from the roadway if possible and exchange the necessary information. When vehicles cannot safely be moved off the roadway, please contact Campus Safety at 966-5555 for assistance.
Campus Safety Pleased with Traffic Speeds
University Peace Officers monitored over 150 vehicles yesterday and issued only five tickets for speeding and two warnings.
With the high number of bicycles and pedestrians combined with our curvy roads, it is important to drive safely and be aware of those around you; and remember the university speed limit is 40km/h on all roadways.
Results from Enforcement Project
University Peace Officers issued eleven citations during the two day province-wide traffic blitz. Of those issued, six were stop sign violations and two were for using a cellphone while driving.
With full term classes beginning soon, Campus Safety would like to remind drivers to watch for pedestrians and follow all traffic controls while on campus.
Totals:
6 - Disobey Stop Sign
2 - Operate Vehicle While Using an Electronic Device
1 - Fail to Yield to a Pedestrian at a Crosswalk
1 - Learner Driving Unaccompanied
1 - Disobey Traffic Control Device
Peace Officers to Target Intersections on Campus
University Peace Officers will be watching for drivers failing to yield to pedestrians or oncoming traffic, and stop sign violations as part of Operation Crossroads today and tomorrow on campus. Special awareness will also be made for individuals not wearing seat belts or operating an electronic device while driving.
The U of S is very busy throughout the year, seeing large amounts pedestrian and bicycle traffic, in addition to vehicles. It is important to pay attention to the road while driving to, from or through our beautiful campus.
For more information, please visit SGI.
Safe Drivers Keep Ticket Numbers Low
Last week, Campus Safety monitored over 1200 vehicles driving through our campus, and found only 8 moving violations for offences such as speeding, driving without a seat belt, and failing to stop for a pedestrian.
With summer here, please continue to watch out for pedestrians and cyclists, and remember the maximum speed for vehicles is 40km/h.
Traffic Blitz Today (June 14th)!
Campus Safety will be watching for drivers failing to wear seat belts, speeding, and using cellphones today.
Remember: On campus our speed limit is 40km/h and like any roadway in the province, you are required to wear your seatbelt while driving. Use of any electronic handheld device while driving is also prohibited, so please remember to use your bluetooth headset, or pull over to the side of the road to make your calls.
Operation Hang Up, Buckle Up results in more than 500 tickets
From SGI:
During last week’s traffic safety blitz, 151 Saskatchewan drivers were ticketed for improper or non-seatbelt use and 83 were ticketed for using a hand-held cellphone behind the wheel. The fifth coordinated traffic safety blitz, held Apr. 18 and 19, saw police and traffic enforcement officers across the province cracking down on non-use of seatbelts and cellphone use while driving. Agencies involved included rural and larger municipal services, CN Rail Police, CP Rail Police, U of S Campus Safety Officers and the RCMP, among others.
In total, law enforcement officials issued a total of 516 tickets. In addition to improper or non-seatbelt use (including driver, passenger or child) and cellphone use while driving, the remainder of tickets were a result of offences including speeding, disobeying stop signs or disobeying red lights.
The goal of the traffic safety blitzes is to create awareness of various traffic safety issues in the province. Each month, these blitzes act as a reminder to motorists to be cognizant of their own driving habits.
Last month’s coordinated traffic safety blitz, Operation March Madness, resulted in 943 drivers receiving tickets, including 754 for aggressive driving violations.
Operation Hang Up, Buckle Up
From SGI:
The fifth coordinated traffic blitz in Saskatchewan, taking place April 18 and 19, will see law enforcement officers targeting motorists using their cellphones or not wearing seatbelts while driving.
“In addition to impaired driving, two major areas of concern in terms of traffic safety are non-use of seatbelts and using cellphones while driving,” said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI. “This month, we are also starting the annual Seatbelt Challenge to raise awareness of the importance of seatbelt use across rural and northern Saskatchewan, as unfortunately, that’s where numbers of improper seatbelt use are the highest.”
Traffic Blitz Update
Campus Safety would like to thank drivers for their safe driving behaviour while on campus. University peace officers identified only two infractions each for no seat belts and cellphone use while driving. Great job!
Traffic Projects Today! Wiggins and East Road...
Campus Safety will be watching for drivers using cellphones and not wearing seat belts today with plans to setup on Wiggins Avenue by Campus Drive and East Road between Campus Drive and Preston Avenues.
Please keep your phone in your pocket and your seatbelt buckled.
March Madness Results
Campus Safety is happy to report that the majority of drivers on campus last week drove with care and attention on campus roads. Of those who were found in violation, the following citations were served:
16 Speeding
1 – Disobey Stop Sign
1 – Unregistered vehicle
1 – Stunting
Campus Safety also issued three warning tickets, with no fine attached, two for speeding and one for using a cellphone while driving.
Please mark April 18th and 19th down on your calendar when we will be focusing on driving with cellphones and without seatbelts.
March Madness Today and Tomorrow!
A reminder that Campus Safety will be heavily patrolling Campus Drive and North Road today and tomorrow watching for any and all dangerous driving offences.
Campus Safety has joined forces with other Saskatchewan Traffic Enforcement Agencies to encourage safe driving at all times. U of S Peace Officers will be issuing citations for these offences, so please drive safely!
March Madness
This month the joint two day traffic initiative will focus on aggressive drivers. On March 14 and 15, U of S peace officers will be focusing on speeding, driving with undue care and attention, racing, and other dangerous behaviours. Officers will also be looking for other offences as well, all in an effort to encourage safe driving on campus.
Operation 20/20
Campus Safety will be participating in "Operation 20/20", joining law enforcement agencies across the province on February 15th and 16th in an effort to discourage drivers from operating their motor vehicles with obscured front, side or rear windows. The fine for driving without a clear view due to exterior or interior obstruction is $125.
Operation Crossroads
On January 18th and 19th, U of S Campus Safety will be joining law enforcement agencies across the province in "Operation Crossroads". Campus Peace Officers will be monitoring all major intersections on campus during this two day blitz to ensure drivers are operating their motor vehicles with care. Disobey stop sign and failure to yield to a pedestrian at an intersection are two examples of the types of offences which are typical of unsafe drivers.
Please drive safely and ensure you are complying with all safety rules and regulations while driving on and off campus.
Drive Safe This Christmas (TAC 20th Anniversary)
On December 10th 1989 the first TAC commercial went to air. In that year the road toll was 776; by last year 2008 it had fallen to 303.
A five minute retrospective of the road safety campaigns produced by the TAC over the last 20 years has been compiled. The montage features iconic scenes and images from commercials that have helped change they way we drive, all edited to the moving song Everybody Hurts by REM.
This campaign is a chance to revisit some of the images that have been engraved on our memories, remember the many thousands of people who have been affected by road trauma and remind us all that for everyones sake; please, drive safely.
Transport Accident Commission Victoria.
http://www.tac.vic.gov.au
Operation Overdrive Targets Impaired Drivers
Traffic enforcement officers in Saskatchewan will be going into overdrive Dec. 15-17 to apprehend impaired drivers.
Operation Overdrive is the second province-wide coordinated traffic safety blitz. Police agencies across the province will be participating in the two-day blitz, with some agencies operating Dec. 15-16 and others on Dec. 16-17.
Keep your Vehicle Windows Clear
Campus Safety would like to remind everyone on campus to completely remove snow, ice and fog from their front, back and side vehicle windows before driving.
Pedestrian Safety Project
Campus Safety is making pedestrian safety a focus.
Pedestrian Crosswalks
We have received numerous complaints of vehicles NOT slowing down for Pedestrians at Crosswalks. Please slow down and remember Pedestrians do have the right of way at Crosswalks on Campus.
Traffic Enforcement in 2009
Stop Sign Tickets issued Increases in 2009..
Traffic Safety "Stop Signs"
Every year in Canada approximately 3,000 people die and an additional 19,000 are seriously injured in traffic collisions. On an average year in Canada there are 675,000 traffic collisions.
More than 40 per cent of all traffic accidents in Saskatchewan and about one quarter of all fatal traffic accidents occur at intersections.
Most fatal collisions at intersections happened because a driver ignored or missed the traffic control device.
Stop signs, Yield signs, and Traffic Control Lights are in place to control the flow of vehicles on highways.
The fine for disobeying a traffic control device is $230.00 and 4 points against your driver’s license under the Driver Improvement Program.
The fines are aimed at highlighting the serious safety implications of traffic violations at intersections and assist in deterring drivers from engaging in these dangerous actions.
In our effort to ensure public safety on campus roads, we want people to know that our members are out there actively enforcing our traffic safety laws, as well as looking for unsafe vehicles and impaired drivers.
24 Hour Supensions
There have been two 24hr Suspension issued by Special Constables within the last two days on Campus. “What is a 24hr Suspension?”…
Drinking and Driving
Well it’s that time of year when we all gather with friends and family for the Holiday Season. Unfortunately it’s also the time of year when a lot of unnecessary Drinking and Driving occurs. Campus Safety will be actively enforcing a ZERO TOLERANCE for drinking and driving on Campus over this Holiday Season.
New Speed Limit on Perimeter Road
The Department of Campus Safety wishes to advise motorists that the vehicle speed limit on Perimeter Road has been lowered from 50 km/hr to 40 km/hr.
Click it or Ticket
The University of Saskatchewan has joined the RCMP and other provincial law enforcement agencies throughout the province in and supporting the 2007 “Click It or Ticket” campaign.