There’s now more motivation for drivers to be safe in a busy stretch of Bancroft.
A section of Hwy. 28, between the Ministry of Transportation building and the Mill Street intersection, is now a Community Safety Zone (CSZ).
The rules of the road don’t change in a CSZ, but the penalties for violations are increased.
The town recently applied to the Ministry to have the area made into the CSZ and got approval.
The area of the highway covers the entrance to North Hastings High School, and turn offs to get to North Hastings Hospital, among other big workplaces.
Bancroft OPP says Community Safety Zones, “are sections where public safety is of special concern and where higher collision patterns or vehicle speeds have been identified.”
“These zones may include roadways near schools, daycare centres, playgrounds, parks, hospitals and assisted living residences. They may also be used for collision-prone areas within a community.”
Police also say CSZs help to change driver behaviour. They’re intended to reduce speeding and distracted driving.
Under the Highway Traffic Act, many set fines, such as speeding and traffic signal-related offences, are doubled if the violation is in a CSZ.