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We serve and protect for safe and healthy communities through leadership, partnerships and engagement and we believe in maintaining law and order through: ethics and professionalism, accountability and transparency, inclusion and diversity, and collaboration and community spirit.

Spring Road Safety

“SERVING WITH YOU – FOR YOU”                                                                 

May 22, 2020 

Police remind citizens to share roads safely 

Warmer weather and the lifting of some public health restrictions means increased traffic; Cape Breton Regional Police encourage all motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to stay alert and work together to keep our roadways safe.

 Motorists: 

  • Obey posted speed limits, signage and traffic signals, and avoid distractions.
  • Shoulder-check and use your mirrors.
  • Stay alert to pedestrians and yield to crosswalks; even if unmarked, any intersection is considered a crosswalk.
  • Pay attention to cyclists and allow the required 1-metre clearance when passing them.

Cyclists:

  • Make sure your bike and its parts are in working order.
  • Always wear a helmet and visible clothing.
  • Ride in single file on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic and signal your turns and stops.
  • Obey signage and traffic signals.
  • Stay alert for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.  

Pedestrians:

  • Cross at intersections with a marked crosswalk or traffic signals.
  • Pay attention to your surroundings and stay alert for vehicles and cyclists.
  • Make eye contact with drivers, wait for vehicles to stop and look both ways before crossing.
  • Look both ways before crossing. 

Helmet are also mandatory for motorcycle drivers and motorcycles must be inspected and insured. If you own and operate an off-road vehicle, there are rules and regulations in place about where and how you can drive them: always remember to wear a helmet, drive in designated areas and maintain a valid permit. Those who drive ATVs on regular roadways are subject to fines under the Off-Highway Vehicles Act.  

Road safety is a shared responsibility – stay alert and choose safe habits! And, remember to comply with public health directives for social distancing and gathering limits when walking and cycling in groups, as well as advice to limit driving to essential purposes and access what’s available in your neighbourhoods.