The month of May brings a renewed focus on keeping roads safe as SGI and law enforcement across Saskatchewan shine a spotlight on intersection safety. Here in Weyburn, the message from police is clear: pay attention and follow the rules of the road.
Deputy Chief Shane St. John of the Weyburn Police Service said one of the most common infractions within the city is drivers failing to come to a complete stop before turning right at red lights.
"A lot of people just come up to that red light and just continue through when they're turning right," St. John explained. "But you have to come to a complete stop and make sure it's safe to go, and then turn right. There's a few reasons - vehicles coming, but also pedestrians may be crossing at that time."
Weyburn’s abundance of four-way stops is another area where drivers can get confused about the rules of the road. St. John noted that the first vehicle to come to a complete stop has the right of way, and while most drivers are courteous, some collisions happen when drivers fail to stop completely.
“Any accident we have, it's that person either not stopping or doing a yield and just proceeding before safe to do so,” he said. “They have never really come to a complete stop.”
Yield signs also present challenges, especially when drivers are out of practice or unsure of the expectations. St. John reminded motorists that the key is observation.
"When you're coming up to that intersection with the yield sign, it is to be very observant, making sure there's no pedestrians, there are no vehicles in your line of sight coming, maybe at a rate of speed that's over the speed limit,” St. John explained. “You've got to make sure you judge those other vehicles coming and you have enough time to get through before that vehicle arrives."
The final piece of advice from the deputy chief is a simple but important one: stay alert.
"Just pay attention. You know, head up, looking both ways, making sure you're aware of the right lights, stop signs, and pedestrians. That's where you really need to be aware. Keep your head on a swivel."
Throughout May, police across Saskatchewan will be watching intersections closely. Drivers are encouraged to take a moment to review the rules of the road and practice safe habits every time they approach a stop sign, yield, or traffic light. Fines for traffic infractions, such as failing to yield to a pedestrian at an uncontrolled crossing, start at $230.