RCMP taking action to improve road safety

RCMP in Nova Scotia sees improving road safety as a priority.

And to further this effort, Halifax District RCMP is taking action and utilizing an intelligence-led approach to support frontline officers’ enforcement efforts to prevent and reduce the number of fatal and serious injury collisions.

“Data guides our enforcement efforts,” says S/Sgt. Terry Barrett, Halifax District RCMP. “Criminal analysts track road safety incidents and we use that information to determine the optimum enforcement location and times. This analysis better informs our decision-making and captures feedback and reports from citizens on what they are seeing on our roads.”

Beginning in October, Halifax District RCMP will release a monthly summary of tickets issued for driving-related offences in the hope citizens think twice before engaging in dangerous, and in some cases, deadly behaviour behind the wheel. The numbers will paint a clear picture of road user behaviour across the district.

In advance of this, Halifax District RCMP is releasing the statistics for the peak summer period of June, July and August where a total of 780 summary offence tickets were issued to motorists:

■ Speeding – 117 drivers received tickets for driving over the speed limit.

■ Cellphone use – 42 drivers received tickets for using their cellphone while driving.

■ Seatbelts – 20 drivers or passengers received tickets for not wearing their seatbelt.

■ Unlicensed/suspended and revoked drivers – 71 drivers were charged for driving without a valid driver’s license.

■ Other Motor Vehicle Act charges – 394 drivers were charged with numerous offences under the Motor Vehicle Act.

■ Aggressive driving – 109 drivers received a ticket for these offences which include following too closely, fail to yield to pedestrian, careless driving and failing to move over, racing, passing school bus exhibiting flashing red lights, and traffic signs.

■ Other Provincial Statute charges – 27 drivers or passengers received a ticket for these offences.

“It’s concerning to see people on the roads who drive recklessly,” says Cst. Denis Chartrand, Lower Sackville Detachment.

RCMP wants to remind people that driving dangerously is not limited to one type of behaviour.

“We continually observe people driving distracted, driving aggressively, not wearing their seatbelt or driving without a licence, registration or insurance,” says Chartrand.

Halifax District RCMP officers continue to educate motorists on the Motor Vehicle Act while conducting enforcement initiatives and ask that people be accountable for their actions while driving.