Photo by William Crooks
Louis-Philippe Ruel, SQ Information Agent, stands by Route 108 near Alexander Galt High School, emphasizing the importance of speed limits in school zones during a joint traffic safety operation on Sept. 17.
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
A joint traffic safety operation led by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), Sherbrooke Police Service (SPS), and Contrôle routier Québec (CRQ) took place on Tuesday, Sept. 17, focusing on the Alexander Galt High School area along Route 108. The operation, which ran from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., aimed to tackle speeding and other road safety infractions in the school zone. This initiative is part of the 2021-2026 Road Network Safety Strategy, designed to reduce fatal and serious injury collisions across Quebec’s roads, trails, and waterways.
The operation was strategically conducted as the school year had recently begun, and traffic near Alexander Galt High School had noticeably increased. With school zones being particularly vulnerable, officers set up several checkpoints along Route 108, including the 50 km/h school zone and near the end of Autoroute 410, which includes a roundabout leading to Bishop’s University.
“We’re targeting a school zone, with the speed limit set at 50 km/h here near Alexander Galt. It’s critical to remind people that school zones are in effect, and drivers need to adjust their speed accordingly,” said Louis-Philippe Ruel, an SQ Information Agent, on the scene. He emphasized the importance of having a visible police presence in school zones to reinforce the message to drivers to slow down.
Two police officers on motorbikes monitor traffic along Route 108 as part of a joint operation focused on speeding and road safety infractions near Alexander Galt High School.
The operation involved not just speeding violations but also other dangerous behaviours behind the wheel. “Police will be observing several types of behaviour—whether it’s speeding, ignoring stop signs, crossing double lines, or distracted driving,” Ruel explained. He noted that distractions, like using cell phones or other in-car activities such as makeup application, are common violations observed in these operations. “We want people to be aware of their environment—look out for speed signs, especially in school zones where the speed limits often change during the school year. It’s important for drivers to know when they’re in a 50 km/h zone versus a 30 km/h zone,” Ruel continued.
The operation also focused on the intersections and roundabouts that are key areas of concern, particularly near the busy Route 108 corridor. “There are several locations where police and road inspectors are stationed today, including the end of Autoroute 410 and the roundabout near Bishop’s University. We want to make sure drivers in these high-traffic areas understand that we’re monitoring their driving habits closely,” Ruel said.
The joint operation is part of an ongoing effort by law enforcement agencies across Quebec to ensure road safety, especially in areas with vulnerable populations, such as school zones. The presence of multiple police forces underscored the serious commitment to reducing accidents. “We want to remind people that speeding is one of the main causes of fatal and serious injury collisions in Quebec,” Ruel added, stressing that continued vigilance is needed to bring down these numbers.
The 2021-2026 Road Network Safety Strategy, called “La vie humaine, au cœur de nos actions” (Human life at the heart of our actions), emphasizes a collaborative approach through partnerships, interventions, public awareness, and the application of new technology. “Through these collaborative efforts, we’re striving toward a common goal—making our roads, trails, and waterways safer,” Ruel said.