        Concerns in the area have arisen regarding the rules of the road in regards to passing emergency vehicles as well as speeding in both construction zones and school zones.
               While approaching emergency vehicles including ambulance, the fire department, and police drivers are reminded to slow down to a speed of 60 km/hr when stopped on the highway with its emergency lights in operation.
               For any emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road working, if a vehicle slows down it lets that person know you’ve seen them, which ultimately makes them more comfortable in that moment. If you don’t slow down you increase the risk of causing a collision.
               This has been an issue local RCMP members have been dealing with. Although no one has been injured locally, emergency personnel have been feeling uncomfortable working in an area where laws regarding speed are being ignored.
               Additionally members have found that they, along with other emergency vehicles, are attending calls with their emergency lights on, but drivers fail to pull over to give emergency vehicles the right of way. If you see emergency lights in your rear view, signal to pull over and slow down to allow the emergency vehicles to pass.
               A speed limit of 60 km/hr is also in place for vehicles passing tow trucks which have their amber lights activated.
               Fines begin at $140 for passing emergency vehicles with their lights activated and passing tow trucks with their lights activated at a speed greater than 60 km/hr.
               Speed fines triple when passing highway workers/road construction, thus the minimum fine starts at $210.
               Additionally members wanted to remind people that slowing down in school zones is extremely important as children may not be watching for vehicles, so it is necessary for drivers to slow to the posted sign and be alert while driving through these areas. Fines for speeding in a school zone begins at $140.
               However, there is more to slowing down in these zones than the cost of a ticket. Recently a man was found guilty of dangerous driving causing death in Saskatchewan. Although the verdict came last month, the collision which killed the 18-year-old highway worker near Midale occurred in 2012. His failure to be alert and aware of his surroundings while driving cost a young woman her life and resulted in him being charged with being responsible for taking a life.
               Even though most people think this couldn’t happen to them, many are stopped by the RCMP and given speeding tickets for their actions and failing to slow down in these situations.
               In relation to this, Saskatchewan has relatively low fines for traffic infractions; however, in addition to paying the ticket, SGI has an Infraction Points System for good and poor drivers. Drivers with good records, who have had points added to their licence get a break when registering a vehicle. Drivers in ill repute, who have negative points on their licence are required to pay an increased rate on their vehicle’s registration.
               The Carlyle RCMP also have a traffic unit which works out of its detachment, this is why in the last year traffic tickets being given out have increased.
