Large variances in temperature can cause vehicle windows to become fogged or ice covered, which can lead to reduced visibility and make driving difficult. Operating a motor vehicle without a clear view of the road and area around you can lead to collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians or objects near the roadway.
Driving without a clear view can also lead to a $125 fine.
Please plan ahead and scrape all your windows clear and allow fog and mist to disappear before driving.
Author Archives: Toni Nixey
Valentine’s Traffic Project Results
U of S Peace Officers wrote ten tickets to drivers in relation to SGI’s Operation Crossroads on February 14th and 15th. Over 400 tickets were issued to drivers across the province for various offences:
- 147 for disobeying red lights/stop signs
three for failing to yield to pedestrians - 15 for pedestrians disobeying walk signal
- 53 cellphone violations
- 61 seatbelt violations
- 78 speeding violations
seven for prohibited driving
one for impaired driving - 57 various other infractions
How to Report Suspicious Activity
If you witness a crime or suspicious activity, call Campus Safety immediately and report what you observed (306-966-5555 or just 5555 on campus).
Use these tips to help when calling:
- Do not confront the subject or subjects; be a good witness.
- Provide Campus Safety with a physical description of the subject; scars, facial hair and tattoos help identify subjects.
- Provide Campus Safety with a detailed clothing description of what the subject was wearing, such as, red shirt, blue baseball cap, white tennis shoes.
- Provide Campus Safety with how many subjects were involved and their gender.
Inform Campus Safety of any vehicles that were involved and their description. - Vehicle descriptions are very important; licence plate number, make of vehicle, colour, condition of vehicle and any bumper stickers or distinguishing items on the vehicle.
- If vehicles or subjects leave the area, provide Campus Safety with the last known direction of travel.
- Stay on the telephone as long as possible with police.
- Providing name and call back number would help Campus Safety in case they need to contact you for further information or in case your call is disconnected.
Valentine’s Traffic Blitz
Campus Safety wants to make sure you get home safely to your loved ones this Valentine’s Day.
Officers on campus, as well as participating agencies province-wide, will be watching intersections for for driving infractions this February 14th and 15th. Whether trying to get to your date on time, or picking up a last minute bouquet of flowers, please remember to proceed safely through every intersection and come to complete stops at all stop signs.
Obscured Vehicle Windows
Campus Safety will be watching for drivers with obscured windows on January 17th and 18th and issuing tickets to motorists who’s vision is impeded. Please ensure you always clear your windows of snow and ice, and do not drive your vehicle until interior fogging has disappeared.
Keeping Safe This Holiday
While celebrating this holiday season, U of S Campus Safety would like to remind everyone to take heed of themselves, and those around, when consuming alcohol:
- Don’t leave your drink unattended.
- Know your limits. Don’t over drink just to keep up with the crowd.
- Don’t Drink and Drive. Bring a designated driver, or take a cab!
- Bring friends with you who also know their limits, or ones who do not drink at all.
- Never get into a car with a stranger!
- Stay hydrated: Drink one non-alcoholic drink for every alcoholic drink you have.
- Drink slowly, and don’t drink on an empty stomach.
- Stop drinking if you start to feel drunk!
Remember: The Saskatoon Police Service will be running check stops throughout the month and Campus Safety will be patrolling campus 24/7 over the holidays looking for drunk drivers. Drive safely, party safely, and we will see you in the new year!
Results from Traffic Blitz
Campus Safety surveyed over 900 vehicles on November 14th and 15th during the traffic blitz where drivers were assessed for their seatbelt and mobile device while on campus roadways. Officers issued six tickets for use of an electronic communication device while driving, one ticket for obstructed view, and one for disobey stop sign.
That is good news for the campus community as the vast majority of motorists were found to be driving safely and wearing their seatbelt.
Nov 14th and 15th Traffic Blitz
Campus Safety will be participating in “Operation Hang Up… Buckle Up” next week as part of a province-wide traffic safety blitz. Fines will be given to motorists who are found driving without their seatbelt and/or while using a cellphone.
According to SGI: “Lack of seatbelt use and cellphone use while driving. On average, distracted driving, which includes cellphone use, contributes to more than 9,400 collisions each year, resulting in about 2,400 injuries and 50 deaths. Seven per cent of all injuries and 35 per cent of all fatalities in collisions involve improper seatbelt use, resulting in 448 injuries and 55 fatalities.”
Winter Driving Reminder
Campus Safety would like to remind all motorists and pedestrians to be aware of the change in season, and the approaching snowfall with regard to driving habits.
Motorists are advised to drive slowly, increase the distance between their vehicle and others on the road, and provide themselves extra time to get to and from their destination to avoid feeling rushed.
Pedestrians should also be attentive at this time of year and ensure vehicles have come to a complete stop before stepping off the curb at a marked crosswalk.
If you do happen to be involved in a motor vehicle collision, and your vehicles are movable and there are no injuries, please remove them from the roadway if possible and exchange the necessary information. When vehicles cannot safely be moved off the roadway, please contact Campus Safety at 966-5555 for assistance.
“Peeping Tom” Near University Campus
The University of Saskatchewan is seeking public assistance in identifying a suspicious male noticed peering into windows several times over the past week. Campus Safety suggests residents living in or near south campus residences take precautions against this “Peeping Tom” who was most recently reported looking into windows on October 19th.
The suspect is described as:
- Caucasian (White)
- 150-180lbs (68-80kgs)
- Mid-twenties
- Light Coloured Hair
- He was last seen wearing a black bunny-hug (hoodie), light (white) pants and light coloured shoes
Photographs taken by a witness are available online at www.usask.ca/campussafety/identify-these-people.php
Witnesses last week stated that they first saw the suspect on October 8th tapping on the glass outside their window. Two days later he was spotted by the same witness across the courtyard looking into another window. At that time, the university sent out a campus-wide email and text message to alert the community.
Residents are reminded to keep windows and blinds closed in the evenings, and to make sure gates and doors are securely locked.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Campus Safety at 966-5555 or the Saskatoon Police Service at 975-8300.