REGINA - The Red Light Safety Program is expanding in Regina this week to crack down on drivers who are not making a complete stop at a red light before turning right.
Starting Feb. 1, the program expands at three intersections where the program currently exists: Albert St. and Saskatchewan Dr., Albert St. and Parliament Ave., and Dewdney Ave. and Lewvan Drive.
At those locations, safety cameras are already in place to issue tickets to those not making a complete stop at those red lights. Now, it will include rolling right turns. Beginning Feb. 1, drivers at these locations who fail to stop at the red light before turning right will be issued a warning notice. Starting April 1, $230 tickets will be issued.
The goal, according to a news release, is to help change driver behaviour, improve pedestrian safety and reduce right turn collisions. An education program will accompany this change.
“Through the expansion of the Red Light Safety Program, we are focusing on preventing rolling right turn on red violations because they pose a significant safety risk, particularly for vulnerable road users,” said Chris Warren, Director of Roadways and Transportation, in a statement. “Drivers can protect pedestrians and cyclists by making a full stop before turning right at all red lights and stop signs.”
“There were 170 collisions in 2023 involving pedestrians and vehicles in our city, seven of which, tragically, resulted in fatalities,” said Sgt. Shannon Gordon of the Regina Police Service Traffic Unit, in a news release. “Drivers can do their part to keep our roads safe by coming to a complete stop at all red lights and stop signs. One way to encourage that behavior is through the Red Light Safety Program.”
