CAA, WINNIPEG POLICE CONDUCT SPRING BREAK SAFETY ASSESSMENT Results indicate road user behaviour around crosswalks needs improvement WINNIPEG, March 19, 2018 – CAA Manitoba and the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) are calling on road users to practice more mindfulness on their commute, after a pre-spring break assessment saw traffic violations in more than half of all pedestrian-car interactions at lit crosswalks. Like CAA Manitoba’s back to school safety assessment, CAA staff and WPS officers observed road users for an hour and half in the morning and afternoon on March 13 at five locations. With close to 600 pedestrians crossing, there were 359 traffic violations observed. “We saw a lot of risky behaviours from both pedestrians and motorists, but the scariest was when we witnessed a pedestrian-motor vehicle incident at Pembina and Adamar during our afternoon observation. An SUV, stopped in middle of the crosswalk, didn’t notice a pedestrian crossing in front of their car and drove forward, hitting the pedestrian with their bumper,” said Liz Kulyk, corporate manager of government and community relations for CAA Manitoba. “Thankfully the pedestrian was okay, but this situation illustrates we all have work to do to be safe on our roads.” At all locations, it was obvious crosswalks gave pedestrians a false sense of security that traffic will stop for them, whether the lights are activated or not. But all too often, motorists didn’t stop at all or didn’t stop long enough for the pedestrian to cross – instead, they slowly rolled toward the crosswalk or drove right through before the person made it to the median or sidewalk. “Road safety is a community issue all year round, but is especially important during school holidays,” said Inspector Gord Spado, of the Winnipeg Police Service Traffic Division. “Foot and vehicle traffic may increase as the weather improves and in areas where children play. We all have a part to play in road safety, so whether we’re traveling by car, bike, or walking - we should all strive to be respectful and practice proper road safety.” CAA and the WPS offer the following road safety tips for spring break: • At intersections and crosswalks, wait for pedestrians to cross the street completely – don’t inch forward or other cars will follow your lead; • Slow down and exercise caution in your neighbourhood – large snowbanks left from the recent storm cleanup can make it difficult to see people approaching the intersection; • Exercise extra caution in school zones, which are a popular place for children to meet and play. Assessment locations included: Broadway and Furby St. near the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre; Pembina Hwy at Adamar Rd., which is flanked by apartment complexes and is a busy transit route; Main St. at Kingsbury Ave. across from Edmund Partridge Community School; a residential/business stretch on Osborne St. S at Oakwood St. and Nathaniel St. south of Grant Ave. by Grant Park High School.
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