May 12 to 18
Sergeant Ryan Stokes,
24 Military Police Flight
At 24 Military Police Flight here at 14 Wing Greenwood, our mission is to ensure the safety and security of everyone who lives, works and visits our base – including military members, their families, civilian employees and the general public. One of the most impactful ways we can support this mission starts behind the wheel: by driving safely, respecting the rules of the road and looking out for one another.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen an ongoing trend in some traffic violations that pose serious risks to public safety. Two of the most frequent issues are speeding and failing to stop at stop signs.
Speeding, particularly in reduced-speed zones like the 35 km/ h area near the Hornell Centre or along Church Street in the Residential Housing Units’ area, continues to be a concern. These limits exist for a reason: they’re in place to protect areas with high foot traffic and frequent pedestrian crossings. Driving even slightly over the limit in these zones can have severe consequences.
The second major concern is drivers not coming to a full stop at stop signs. Whether it’s a rolling stop or missing the sign altogether, the risk of collision increases significantly – not just with other vehicles, but with pedestrians who trust drivers to follow basic traffic rules.
While impaired driving incidents remain relatively low on base, even one instance is too many. We want to remind everyone: if you’ve been drinking or consuming cannabis, do not get behind the wheel. The impact of your decision may go far beyond a simple ticket: impaired driving can lead to criminal charges, heavy fines, skyrocketing insurance costs and even career implications. Plan ahead. Call a friend, use a designated driver or arrange a safe place to stay the night.
Safe driving is not just about following the law; it’s about taking care of each other. Whether you’re heading to work, dropping the kids off at daycare or visiting a loved one, your choices behind the wheel make a difference.
Let’s all do our part to keep our community safe – one stop sign, one speed limit and one good decision at a time.
