Montreal police are spreading tons of insults near the Jacques Cartier Bridge these days. Objective: End the traffic blockade caused by certain motorists entering an intersection without checking whether there is enough space. For a sector commander, the phenomenon is a real scourge.
Posted at 12:06 p.m
“What we call deadlock is really, really common here. Before crossing, people don’t check whether there is enough space at the front to clear the crossing,” says Krisztina Balogh, head of district station (PDQ) 22 in Mitte-Süd.
“Things like this pose significant dangers for everyone, including the drivers themselves, but also pedestrians and cyclists who then try to get around the vehicle. With spring, the risks become even greater,” she explains in the same breath.
Since Monday, patrols have been conducting a “visibility operation” on several sections of the quadrangle leading to the Jacques-Cartier bridge between the Papineau, Lorimier, Sherbrooke and Notre-Dame axes. This operation will last until Friday.
On Monday alone, more than a hundred insults were made to road users, “with light traffic at the beginning of the week,” says Ms. Balogh. “We expect to deliver more by Friday,” she says.
“We don’t just distribute reports. After the arrest we also give people cards where we explain the crime, the problem and why we are there. Our long-term desire is to change mentalities and make our roads safer,” the commander continued.
In particular, on these maps, of which La Presse had a copy, we can read: “You were intercepted as part of a police operation aimed at moving traffic. The safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists is also your concern. »
IMAGE PROVIDED BY SPVM
The card given to defaulting motorists.
Worrying Data
It is understood that in the Centre-Sud district last year nearly 500 motorists were pinned down just for standing still.
So far in 2023, in less than three months, around 130 of them have been fined for the same reason. “All of this without considering all the other offenses we detect in a deadlock situation. It is really an important issue, ”emphasizes Krisztina Balogh.
She assures that the phenomenon is also being noticed by “several border guards on Sherbrooke Street trying to get children to cross”. “It makes no sense for these people to be forced to bypass cars on a crosswalk dedicated to them,” replies the officer.
Ultimately, she points out, such surveillance flashes make a long-term difference. “We are really taking the opportunity to raise awareness. It is a constant educational work. These five days are basically meant to convince people to be a little more patient. In any case, everyone is stuck in traffic,” concludes the commander of PDQ 22.