**** HRP Media Release
Police remind citizens to share roads safely
With Spring in full bloom, our neighbourhood streets are busy with people out and about enjoying the warmer weather. Halifax Regional Police is encouraging everyone to do their part to safely share our roadways.
Motorists:
- Avoid distractions and focus on driving.
- Drive within the posted speed limit and for the conditions.
- Keep an eye out for pedestrians, particularly near crosswalks, traffic lights and intersections.
- Keep an eye out for cyclists and ensure you allow for 1-metre clearance when passing them.
- Yield to pedestrians who are in a crosswalk. Remember that not all crosswalks are marked, and any intersection of streets is considered to be a crosswalk.
- Only pass cyclists if it’s safe to do so.
- Always park your vehicle so it doesn’t cause a safety issue, block in other vehicles or make roads impassable for traffic or emergency vehicles. Never block driveways, or park on private property or in no parking zones.
- When parking on the street, use your mirrors and turn around to check for cyclists before opening your door.
- Make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their seatbelts.
Cyclists
- Check your bike to make sure brakes, reflectors and lights are in working order.
- Always wear a helmet.
- Ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic.
- Ride in single file.
- Obey all road signs and traffic signals.
- Signal your intentions before turning or stopping.
Pedestrians:
- Stay alert for vehicles and cyclists, particularly when no sidewalk is available.
- Use crosswalk lights when available and obey traffic light signals.
- Always look both ways before crossing the road. Make eye contact with vehicle driver and make sure the vehicle has come to a stop before crossing.
- Consider wearing reflective bright clothing to be more visible.
