Regina set to crack down on rolling rights on reds

Drivers who don’t stop at red lights before turning right will soon be lighter in the wallet.

The City of Regina announced Monday it’s expanding the Red Light Safety Program, with hopes of ensuring that drivers make a complete stop at red lights before turning right.

“Through the expansion of the Red Light Safety Program, we are focusing on preventing rolling right turn on red violations because they pose a significant safety risk, particularly for vulnerable road users,” Chris Warren, the city’s director of roadways and transportation, said in a media release.

“Drivers can protect pedestrians and cyclists by making a full stop before turning right at all red lights and stop signs.”

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The program will be focused on the intersections where safety cameras are already located: Albert Street and Saskatchewan Drive; Albert Street and Parliament Avenue; and Dewdney Avenue and Lewvan Drive.

Starting Thursday, drivers who don’t stop at red lights before turning right at those intersections will get a warning notice. Starting April 1, $230 tickets will be handed out to those offenders.

According to the city, an education campaign will be started to tell drivers about the program.

“There were 170 collisions in 2023 involving pedestrians and vehicles in our city, seven of which, tragically, resulted in fatalities,” Sgt. Shannon Gordon of the Regina Police Service Traffic Unit said in the release.

“Drivers can do their part to keep our roads safe by coming to a complete stop at all red lights and stop signs. One way to encourage that behaviour is through the Red Light Safety Program.”

The city said an SGI evaluation report has determined that the program has helped reduce collisions at most camera locations.