Bylaw Amendment’s $150 Fine Designed To Protect Workers

It is all about worker safety - City says

By Robert Thomas

If you think the City isn’t serious about the changes to the Traffic Bylaw when it comes to entering streets that are barricaded with ROAD CLOSED signs, think again.

If not you could be a lot lighter in your wallet, as the Bylaw changes are to be strictly enforced.

At their Tuesday, October 10 regular meeting of Council, an amended Traffic Bylaw was adopted that establishes a fine for anyone who enters a temporarily closed road, including construction sites.

And yes, the fine is not chicken feed either - it’s $150.

At the present time, it is standard practice for many residents - and others - on streets that are closed to simply drive on the street to access their property, with the new Traffic Bylaw amendment that could cost you a cool $150.

Driving past a Road Closed sign or barricade can cost you $150 even if you have to use the road to access your home or business - MJ Independent photo

In a written response to MJ Independent the City confirmed accessing streets which have Road Closed signage could well cost you the $150 fine.

Including if you live there and need to access your home.

‘There is no leeway in the Bylaw for members of the public who illegally enter a temporarily closed road.

However, on a case-by-case basis our team will assess safety conditions and make accommodations for affected residents and businesses within the Road Closed zone.’ the City responded to a question about the situation from MJ Independent.

The reason for the crack down by the City is for worker safety. The City is right now involved in a no more close calls campaign when it comes to accidents and their workers.

“Our employees routinely encounter vehicles entering closed work areas marked by road closed signs,” City Manager Maryse Carmichael said in a statement.

“When drivers ignore closed road signs and enter temporarily closed streets, they endanger the lives of City employees, contractors, and themselves,” Carmichael added in the release.

In the fall of 2022, a City of Moose Jaw employee was struck by a vehicle whose driver illegally entered a closed work area. The employee suffered non-life- threatening injuries due to the incident and Moose Jaw Police became involved.

Editor’s note - although the city officially announced this change weeks ago, MJ Independent held off publishing the story until we got to the bottom of exactly what we anticipate is a major concern from residents and businesses due to the new fine.

We believe we asked a question many will be asking.