Police AssociAtion of novA scotiA 41 Bullying Awareness 40th Annua l Cr ime Preven t i on Gu i de 2010 PANS PAnS in the news... Police Week Const. Graham Purvis of the New Glasgow Police Service demonstrates how to use a speed radar gun from the 1970s. The gun was part of the display at the Highland Square Mall for Police Week. The display also included police vehicles, information pamphlets and drug displays. Some motorists don’t get it: illegal use of new centre turn lane dangerous, police say New Glasgow police say motorists are creating a dangerous situation on East River Road by driving in the new centre turning lane. In just a 10-minute period on Monday, Const. Ken MacDonald counted six drivers cruising down the centre lane - an action that could result in several charges under the Motor Vehicle Act for driving in a turning lane and changing lanes unsafely and net fines of $225 apiece. But, says MacDonald, that’s not the only thing that motorists are doing wrong with this lane. In some cases, police have seen people use it to pass other vehicles moving at a slower pace. “This is not an express lane, this is not a driving lane,” MacDonald said. “It’s a turning lane, it’s made for people to pull into in order to safely make a left-hand turn and keep the traffic flow along East River Road moving with ease.” The signage and lane marking are quite clear, he said, and the configuration is the same as on the Westville Road, where this problem isn’t occurring. It’s left police puzzled and wondering why motorists aren’t following the rules along East River Road. “I can only guess that people don’t understand what exactly the centre lane is for - they’re driving the whole way down it.” MacDonald said. Police say this creates a very dangerous situation since traffic travelling both directions use the lane and it’s possible that two vehicles could have a head-on collision if they’re both driving in the turning lane. “We really see the number of incidents increasing as traffic gets busier,” he said. “People seem to think they can use it as a faster method to move through traffic, but this is a turning lane only. If people are using it as a driving lane, there’s an increased chance of a collision.” No accidents have occurred yet, but police want to nip the situation in the bud. If educational efforts aren’t successful, he said, the police will turn to enforcement. As originally published in The News, by Jennifer Vardy Little
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