The Transportation Departments of Grey, Bruce, and Huron County have partnered with the Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Provincial Police to remind the public about road safety. All roadway users must travel safely, share the road, and respect others.
Stay informed on Road Conditions!
MTO 511 Interactive Map: https://511on.ca/?ll=50.148746,-85.605468&z=5#:Alerts
Grey County: https://www.grey.ca/roads/road-conditions-closures
Bruce County: https://brucecounty.on.ca/road-conditions
Huron County: https://www.huroncounty.ca/public-works
Don't Text and Drive! Distracted driving is illegal and is a serious safety issue that has claimed lives. Every driver is required to focus on the changing road, traffic, weather, and driving conditions…not on electronic devices. If you need to communicate, pull over and put your vehicle in park. Don't put others at risk.
Penalties are increasing for speeding and stunt driving, and the Ontario Provincial Police are actively patrolling Grey, Bruce, and Huron County for aggressive driving. You could lose your licence and your vehicle, and face heavy fines and imprisonment. Please do not put yourself and others at risk. It isn’t how fast you get to your destination, enjoy the journey and arrive alive.
Deciding to pass is a serious decision. Use your turn signals, consider conditions and obstacles, and look for approaching vehicles and vehicles passing from behind.
Don't veer for deer or other animals. Brake firmly but stay in your lane. Collisions occur when a driver swerves and loses control. Be on the lookout, prepare for the unexpected, and slow down in areas marked with animal activity signs.
Share the Road!
Protect emergency services personnel on the roads. Slow down and proceed with caution when you encounter a first responder stopped with emergency lighting activated. This includes tow-trucks. Obey the law, move over, and stay safe! Offenders could be fined and assessed demerit points.
When you see a construction zone, take it slow. Reduce your speed, pay attention, obey signs, watch for workers, and be prepared to stop and follow directions given by traffic control persons. Drive with extra caution through construction areas during periods of rain and at night. If a detour route is posted, follow the directional signs to avoid the road construction zone. Use municipal 511 to plan your route to avoid construction zones and delays. Road maintenance crews are your family, neighbours, and friends. They make our roads safe. Pay attention and slow down. Fines are doubled for speeding in construction zones and are strictly enforced when workers are present.
Slow-moving horse-drawn vehicles are common in our area, moving at an average speed of 14 km/h. When passing from behind or the opposite direction, slow down and create as much distance as possible. Don't use your horn or pass too closely. This may dangerously startle the horse. Expect the unexpected!
Farm vehicles travel at only 40km/hr and need to stay on the travelled portion of the road for optimal safety. Pass with caution, as large agricultural equipment could make left-hand turns or be going around cyclists, mailboxes, signs, or guardrails. Make sure the farm vehicle driver can see you before you pass. Don’t expect a farm vehicle to pull over on the shoulder, this could be dangerous. Slow down and share the road. Farm vehicles are required to use lights at night and in inclement weather.
Motorists may encounter Off Road Vehicles on the roads, which are limited to 20km/hr in zones posted at 50km/hr or less. Off Road Vehicles are limited to 50 km/hr in zones posted at greater than 50 km/hr. For on-road usage, Off Road Vehicle riders must wear approved motorcycle helmets, be registered, plated, and insured, and be at least 16 years old with a G2 licence. Riders are to check with their local municipality to determine if usage is permitted. At all times, obey the laws, respect others property, and ride safely and responsibly.
Be extra vigilant when sharing the road with motorcyclists. Motorcycles are not as visible as other vehicles, so be sure to do frequent blind spot checks and be mindful when changing lanes, turning, and merging into traffic. Motorcyclists can enhance their safety by wearing highly visible clothing, properly positioning their motorcycle on roadways, reducing low light and night riding, not taking chances or making risky maneuvers, and riding at the appropriate speed and never in excess of the posted limit.
Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians have equal rights and access to our roadways. All users must share the road and share the respect. Drivers must leave a minimum of one-metre distance when passing a cyclist and not follow too closely behind cyclists. When turning, please check your mirrors and blindspots.
When parking on roadways, always watch for and obey signs, and be aware that not all parking by-laws are posted on signs. Never park on the travelled part of a road. Drive off the road onto the shoulder if you must stop for some reason. Never park on a curve, hill, or anywhere you do not have a clear view for at least 125 metres in both directions. Do not park near intersections, railway crossings, pedestrian crossings, or road entrances.
source: media release, Bruce County, Grey County
