CHATHAM-KENT MEDIA RELEASES

DETACHMENT COMMANDER – S/SGT.  BRAD COULBECK

(519) 352-1122   FAX: (519) 352-3886

CALL 1-888-310-1122 FOR POLICE

KEEPING YOU INFORMED

KEEPING YOU SAFE

 

 

FROM/DE:        Highway Safety Division                 DATE: September 7, 2010

 

KEEPING ONTARIO ROADS, TRAILS AND WATERWAYS SAFE OVER THE LABOUR DAY WEEKEND - OPP RESULTS

(AURORA, ON) –At the outset of the weekend, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) committed to be out in full-force to keep OPP patrolled roads, trails and waterways safe.  Commissioner Lewis appealed to the public to play a critical role in assisting the OPP with this commitment.

Over the weekend the OPP launched an enforcement initiative, targeting aggressive drivers, impaired drivers and motorists not wearing a seatbelt. OPP also focused on marine operators especially those who fail to have the proper safety equipment and operating a marine vessel while drinking.

During the Long weekend initiative which began on Friday September 3, 2010 and ended on Monday September 6, 2010 OPP officers laid 115 impaired driving charges as well as 5,763 speeding, 470 seatbelt and 64 stunt driving charges.

Three people died on OPP roads over the weekend, one a single motor vehicle collision in the Napanee area, another in an intersection related collision in the City of Kawartha Lakes and another in Dufferin County where speed was a factor. This is a decrease from the 4 fatalities on OPP patrolled highways and trails during the Labour Day weekend in 2009.   

Three people lose their lives on the waterways over the weekend.  In one case a canoe capsized on Skeleton Lake in Muskoka and two 18yr old males drowned; they were not wearing a personal floatation device (PFD) at the time.

This year to date, 221 people have needlessly lost their lives on OPP patrolled roads compared to 207 in 2009.  This represents a 6.8% increase over last year.  Also, 20 people have died in marine related incidents compared to 28 in 2009, a 28.6% decrease.  “Each one of these deaths was preventable” said Commissioner Lewis.  “The untold pain and sorrow that these tragedies have visited on these families will remain the number one reason behind the OPP’s unwavering and uncompromising commitment to highway and marine safety” he added.

During the weekend, the OPP aircraft was also utilized for traffic surveillance to assist the officers on the highways.  This targeted enforcement resulted in the following charges; 95 speeding ; 4 stunt driving; 2 following too close; 1 drive while suspended; 3 criminal code charges; and  other charges under different provincial statutes.  “The Aircraft Enforcement Program continues to be an effective tool in the OPP Provincial Traffic Safety Program” said Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander responsible for Traffic Safety.  “Patrolling OPP highways and roadways from the sky provides our officers a greater ability to pro-actively target identified problem areas for enforcement” he added.  

The end of the Labour Day long weekend traditionally means an increase of traffic on the roads as well as a return of school bus traffic.  The OPP are asking drivers to continue to focus on their driving while reminding them to be aware of  school buses  and the community safety zones. 

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Cst Aaron McPhail 1-888-802-9863

 

 

From: Chatham-Kent OPP                                               Date 07Sep10

 

Speeding Duo Gets Stunt Driving Charges

(Chatham-Kent, ON)   Over the Labour Day weekend, the Chatham-Kent Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a vehicle on the 401 Highway for a traffic violation. 

Further investigation revealed that the driver, a 24 year old, Scarborough, Ontario man did not have valid insurance, was in possession of suspected marijuana, and was in breach of his probation.   His vehicle was towed from the highway for safe-keeping after being arrested.

 
The following day he retrieved his vehicle with a friend in another car; after doing so they were both seen traveling down 40 Highway at a high rate of speed.    Their vehicles were clocked by police radar; one at a speed of 144 km/hr and the other at 135 km/hr in an 80 km/hr. 

Shaunavan Prakask, a 24 year old Scarborough, Ontario man is facing the following charges under the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, Highway Traffic Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Criminal Code.

2 x Drive Motor Vehicle - No Insurance

Stunt Driving

Possession of Marijuana

Breach of Probation.   

Theodore Parkington, a 23 year old, Scarborough, Ontario man is facing a Stunt Driving charge under the Highway Traffic Act.  

Their licences have been suspended and their vehicles have been impounded for the prescribed 7 day period.

 

- 30 -

Contact: Constable Aaron McPhail

Phone: 1-888-802-9863  

 

 

From: Chatham-Kent OPP                                               Date 07Sep10


****THEY’RE BIG, THEY’RE YELLOW & TODAY THEY’RE BACK***

 

(Chatham-Kent, ON.) The Chatham-Kent OPP are alerting motorists to the fact that come this morning, Ontario roadways will be dotted with thousands of Chrome Yellow school busses!   These busses are filled with our most valuable cargo; our children.  Motorists need to always drive safe around busses. 

 

When motorist observe chrome yellow school busses stopped on the roadway with its red lights activate and stop arm out, they must come to a complete stop in-front of and behind the bus.  Motorists must not pass the stopped bus until the stop arm is retracted and the red lights are turned off.  The fine for passing a school bus is $490.00. Liability to stop for a school bus rests on the owner of the vehicle.

 

Motorist must also be prepared to stop for Crossing Guards as well and slow down in School Safety Zones.  Police will be extra vigilant, ensuring that drivers obey School Bus operators as well as School Crossing guards across the region. 

 

OPP remind caregivers to speak to their children about the importance of getting on and off busses safely and to obey all the bus and road safety rules at all times.   Taking a few minutes to talk to your children about safety can be the difference between life and death.  It’s worth the time.

- 30 -

 

Contact: Constable Aaron McPhail

 

Phone: 1-888-802-9863    

 

 

 

FROM/DE:    CHATHAM-KENT OPP                                                   DATE: 31st August, 2010

 

 

CHATHAM KENT POLICE SERVCIE & CHATHAM-KENT OPP

JOIN FORCES TO PROMOTE MARINE SAFETY

 

 

(CHATHAM-KENT, ON.) –  Marine trained members from the OPP as well as the Chatham Kent Police service will be on hand this weekend at two separate workshops to speak about marine safety. 

 

Police welcome veteran boaters as well as those new to the sport and the media, to come out the free workshops.  The first one will take place on Friday, September 3rd 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at Barney’s Boats Marina in Erieau, Ontario.  The second marine safety workshop will be held at the Mitchell’s Bay Marina on Saturday the 4th of September 2010 starting at 10:00 a.m.

 

Police encourage everyone to have a great Labour Day weekend and hope everyone does so with safety as their top priority.  Ontario waterway fatalities are down significantly from last year and with everyone boating responsibly and safely that trend can continue.

 

Officers will be on hand to discuss; required and proper boat equipment, safety equipment, live preservers, required documentation and registering vessels, competency cards, safe vessel operation and laws pertaining to alcohol and boating. 

 

For more information please contact:

 

 

OPP – PC Rene TAMMINGA                      Chatham-Kent Police -     PC Todd TRAHAN

            519-352-1122                                                                       519-436-6600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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