Released on October 19, 2015
Every day, Highway Transport Patrol Officers, RCMP, emergency workers and others are working to make our highways safer. Too often these men and women face inattentive and speeding drivers, which needlessly increase the risk of their work. The law is simple: if the lights are on, slow to 60 km/hr.
“We ask that motorists drive attentively and obey speed laws so our traffic officers can do their jobs safely,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Nancy Heppner said. “Patience and the simple act of reducing speed can literally save a life.”
“The roads were icy and I was conducting a vehicle inspection,” Highway Transport Patrol Officer Andrew Lindsay said. “My lights were on and I didn’t see the oncoming vehicles. Had I taken a step back it would have been a very different story for my family that day.”
The vehicle drove by at 129 km/hr, which could have resulted in a $500 fine for the driver; however, it could have been much worse for the officer.
During the week of October 19, the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is teaming up with the RCMP and other agencies in an enforcement initiative to educate the public on the importance of slowing to 60 km/hr when passing Highway Transport Patrol Officers, RCMP, and other law enforcement workers, as well as fire trucks, ambulances, tow truck operators, highway construction workers and others working in the highway right-of-way.
“As a police officer who regularly works on Saskatchewan’s roadways, safety is always a concern,” RCMP Traffic Services Staff Sgt. Pete Garvey said. “Partnerships such as this aren’t just about enforcement, but educating the public about the dangers emergency and other workers face daily doing their job. We all want to go home at night.”
The Highway Transport Patrol is a part of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure consisting of uniformed traffic officers who primarily conduct on-road enforcement by stopping commercial vehicles and by operating vehicle inspection stations.
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For more information, contact:
Sonja Orban
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Email: sonja.orban@gov.sk.ca