Respectful Driving in City Neighbourhoods

With the summer in full swing, children out of school, and increased activity throughout St. John’s, the City is reminding motorists to be mindful and respectful when driving, especially through residential neighborhoods.

“This time of year, we see an increase in the number of people on our roads – especially pedestrians and cyclists,” said Councillor Debbie Hanlon, lead for Traffic and Parking. “We are reminding the public, and visitors to our city, to please drive respectfully and keep safety top of mind, especially when driving through residential areas.”

Many areas of the city experience a significant traffic increase in the summer months. Popular tourist destinations such as Quidi Vidi, The Battery, Signal Hill, and city Parks are all wonderful places to visit, and they are also located in and near neighborhoods where people live, work and play.

“Traffic safety is a concern for many areas in the city, especially areas like Signal Hill Road where hundreds of people commute every day,” said Councillor Hanlon. “We are asking drivers to please treat each neighborhood like your own, respect the speed limit and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.”

“Speeding and aggressive driving contributes to noise levels and otherwise disrupts normally quiet and peaceful neighbourhoods”, says Mona Rossiter of the Signal Hill Neighbourhood Association.  “All we ask is that drivers respect the fact that they are passing through our neighbourhood on the way to scenic views of the City from Signal Hill National Historic Site”.

The City will be encouraging respectful driving on social media. Neighbourhood associations and safety related organizations are invited to share similar messages and help promote the importance of safety this summer.