Motorists on the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway have some new signs to glance at when stuck in traffic.
The signs, erected late last week by the City of Toronto in partnership with the Toronto Police Service, each have the same straightforward message: when in a minor accident, move to the roadway shoulder.
The campaign, called "Steer it, Clear it," was launched to remind drivers that the law requires that, in most instances, after a minor collision drivers must "clear" their vehicle from moving traffic. It's also one of the safest actions they can take.
According to the Traffic Services department of the Toronto Police Service, this seemingly simple gesture not only saves time and fuel, but can also potentially save lives. Moving cars involved in minor accidents reduces the otherwise high risk of a second collision by up to 20 per cent.
Based on successful efforts in other cites, the signs along the Gardiner and DVP will remind motorists that, so long as their vehicle can be driven and there is a safe turn-off point, the very first step after an accident should be getting the vehicle off the road. The rule does not apply however, in cases where there is more than a minor injury and/or where there is significant debris on the roadway.
"Preventing a collision is everyone's responsibility," says superintendent Gord Jones of Toronto Police Service, Traffic Services of "Steer it, Clear it" rule. "All it takes is one second for your life or someone else's life to be lost because of a traffic collision."
Writer: Katia Snuka
Source: Toronto Police Services
Photo: Hal Jackey on
Flickr