NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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During the month of February 2022, uniform officers from the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have responded to public complaints of motorists and commercial vehicles speeding and other related traffic violations on area roadways.
Calls to the OPP Communications Centre and through the OPP Online Reporting have been recorded and acted upon as follows:
- Officers attended 53 complaint areas and issued 294 tickets and warned 192 drivers for their driving infractions.
- 119 hours of focused patrol in these noted areas.
- Officers conducted RIDE at 99 check stops, checking 831 vehicles for signs of impairment along with trailside RIDE checks of 568 snowmobiles.
- Eight charges of impaired driving were issued after investigation.
- 11 drivers provided breath samples on a roadside screening device at those RIDE check stops.
- Six dangerous driving charges were issued after investigation.
- Three charges of flight from police were issued after investigation.
- Two drivers were charged with driving while prohibited under the Criminal Code of Canada.
- Two drivers lost their driving privileges and vehicles after they were stopped and charged for a stunt driving offence—exceeding the posted speeds limits as follows with the introduction of the Moving Ontario More Safety Act, also known as the MOMS Act to increase road safety.
The first change is an increase in the previous seven-day vehicle impoundment period to 14 days.
The second change is the introduction of a lower speed threshold for street racing offenders on municipal roads. On roads with a posted speed limit of less than 80 km/h, drivers caught travelling 40 km/h over the speed limit face racing/stunt driving charges. (The previous limit was 50 km/h over the speed limit.)
Please click on the following Ministry of Transportation link (ADLS) for information on licence suspensions.
Seasonal commercial vehicle half-load restrictions
Heavy commercial vehicle operators are reminded to be aware that seasonal axle weight restrictions are currently in effect from March 1 to April 30, 2022. Check with the municipality that you are working in or the following site — https://511on.ca/list/seasonalloads?lang=en — for further information.
Educating the public about safe driving practices with our community safety partners is a priority. If you see a possible impaired driver or operator please “make the call” and dial 911 and help prevent a crash. If you are heading out on the town, please make a plan to get home safely.
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