HRP to conduct pedestrian safety blitz
Posted Feb 7, 2013 07:19:28 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HRM has seen an increase in pedestrian-vehicle collisions and the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities in five years.
In response, Halifax Regional Police has launched a three-month pedestrian safety blitz.
Cst. Ray Quesnel explains police will target some key intersections around the city.
“We’re going to be visible; you’ll see our police cars and our yellow jackets,” he says. “We’re going to be handing out pamphlets for people we see disobeying and the law and if there’s something that needs be dealt with, possibly a ticket also.”
Those fines can be quite hefty.
“We’re talking $399 and $685 and so on,” explains Quesnel. “There’s police discretion of course, but at some point we need to change the behaviour and that’s why we’re going to start with the education and see where it takes us from there.”
He says he hears the arguments about needing more lights and more signs.
“But we also the other side of those complaints, that too many signs and too many lights cause extra distractions,” Quesnel explains. “Between the police and city engineers and the public’s help, if there’s a better solution out there maybe we’ll find it but at this point this is what we have to work with.”
He adds you can’t blame just drivers or just pedestrians; everyone needs to pay attention.
For reference, here’s a list of some of the intersections police will be focusing on.
- Forrest Hills Parkway and Cole Harbour Road
- Joseph Howe Drive and Scott Street
- Sacvkille Drive and Beaver Bank Road
- South Park and South Street
- Spring Garden and Robbie Street
- Spring Garden and South Street
