Barriere RCMP reported last week that they have been taking an educational approach for a short time to allow everyone who is really not paying attention to the road a chance to learn about the new four-way stop that was installed on Sunday, Oct. 21, at the intersection of Barriere Town Road and Salle Road, next to the Barriere post office.
There is clear signage with obvious changes posted to warn approaching motorists, as well as newly painted lines on the road/crosswalk area.
RCMP Cpl. Darin Underhill says, “The first couple of days were good with low traffic volume, and everyone I observed in the afternoon and evening complying. Cst McGregor, our new member here, did stop nine people during the day on Tuesday [Oct.23] with much higher traffic volume, and educated them on the signs and what the fine would be. It is a $167 fine for failing to stop for a stop sign.
“This is a large problem in many areas around town and entering the highway in our area with ‘taxi’ type stops. Drivers are required to stop at the stop line, before entering a crosswalk at the near side of the intersection, or if neither exist at the point nearest the intersecting highway or road from which the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting highway without entering or impeding traffic on the intersecting highway. The definition of ‘stop’ is the tires of the vehicle stop rotating completely.”
Underhill notes that there are too many drivers that are used to operating their vehicles in low traffic volume, and have got into the poor driving habit of just looking one way and rolling through the intersection without checking all traffic.
“This type of driving behavior is dangerous for traffic and pedestrians on the roadways,” said the officer, “We will be continuing to conduct educational enforcement for now but will be issuing violation tickets shortly as this is our highest volume pedestrian intersection. It is also important for the pedestrians along that section of road to use the properly marked intersection as they too can be fined for failing to yield the right of way to traffic.”
He notes that vehicles have the right of way on the travel portion of the highway, even at intersections, unless the pedestrian has entered that intersection legally, in a safe manor, allowing the traffic adequate time to see the pedestrian and react accordingly.
“It is always difficult in any size of town for people to get used to changes in traffic patterns and adjust their driving habits,” said Underhill, “We hope that it is a smooth transition and there are no major incidents at our new four way stop.”