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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-09-03, Page 1414 News Record • Wednesday, September 3, 2014 Drivers failing to stop for school OPP to make it more buses cause concern difficult for distracted drivers to hide West Region Ontario Pro- vincial Police (OPP) is gear- ing up for this year's back -to - school season by encouraging everyone to be vigilant and patient when you encounter school buses. The Independent School Bus Operators Association (ISBOA) conducted a prov- ince -wide study with their school bus companies between May 5, 2014 and May 9, 2014. During this period, bus drivers reported incidents where vehicles failed to stop for the school bus when lights were flashing. Results show that approximately 151 such incidents occurred each day during the 5 -day study. The majority of these incidents (75%) hap- pened while the vehicle was approaching the bus from the front. These numbers concern the OPP because bus drivers are not the only people who are responsible for the lives of our children. "As drivers, we know that at certain times of the day we can expect to encounter school buses during our travels. Drivers need to be vigilant and pay attention to the flash- ing red lights and other safety equipment used on buses. Our children's safety depends on it," says West Region OPP Traffic Inspector Ian Chappell. The Highway Traffic Act of Ontario indicates that when a school bus is stopped on the roadway with its red lights acti- vated and "Stop" sign out, drivers 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 owner of a vehicle can be charged if their vehicle fails to stop for a school bus even if they were not the driver. Back -to -school is always a busy time for everyone. The OPP and ISBOA are working together to edu- cate the public and to raise awareness about the possi- ble serious consequences of ignoring school bus flashing lights. "Family-owned school bus companies across the province are pleased to be working with their local law enforcement agencies to raise awareness about the dangers of passing a stopped school bus," says Steve Hull, President of ISBOA. "Our common goal is to make back -to -school - and the rest of the school year- safe for all children who ride the bus." For more information on the study please visit the ISBOA website. MUNICIPALITY OF HURON EAST MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS 2014 NOTICE OF THE VOTERS' LIST NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, the list of all persons entitled to be electors for municipal elections in this municipality has been prepared by the Clerk's office. As of September 1, 2014 all electors should ensure that their names and relevant information are correct on the Voters' List. A person may make an application to the Clerk requesting that the person's name be added to or removed from the Voters' List or that information on the Voters' List relating to the person be amended by completing and filing the prescribed form available at: The Office of the Clerk MUNICIPALITY OF HURON EAST 72 Main St. S., Seaforth, ON NOK 1WO during regular office hours between September 2, 2014 to October 24, 2014 and to the close of voting on October 27, 2014. The application shall be in writing on the appropriate form (Form EL15 or EL16) available at the municipal office and shall be filed in person, by the applicant or his/her agent or by mail, by the applicant. Proof of identity and residence as prescribed in 0. Reg. 304/14 will be required. QUALIFICATIONS OF ELECTORS A persons is entitled to vote in a municipal election if he or she on voting day, — resides in the local municipality, or is the owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or the spouse of such owner or tenant; and is a Canadian citizen, and is at least 18 years old, and is not prohibited from voting by law. DATED AT THE MUNICIPALTIY OF HURON EAST THIS 3rd DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2014. Brad Knight, CAO/Clerk Municipality of Huron East Motorists who talk on cell phones, text or engage in other forms of distraction while driving will be easier to spot now that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is dedicating more police vehi- cles to enforce Ontario's Dis- tracted Driving legislation full-time. Ten unmarked police vehicles took to the roads over the Labour Day Long Weekend province -wide and the OPP anticipates that these additional resources are a much-needed meas- ure to make Ontario roads safer for those who share the road with distracted drivers. Thirty-five (35) people have died so far this year in motor vehicle colli- sions (within OPP juris- diction) in which an inat- tentive driver was a contributing factor. In 2013, 86 people died in distraction -related colli- sions. This category of road fatality surpassed both impaired -related and speed -related deaths investigated by the OPP last year. Since Ontario's distracted driving laws were introduced in 2009, the OPP has investigated 374 inattentive -related road deaths (as of August 25, 2014). "Our officers remain deeply concerned with the number of drivers they see driving dis- tracted, especially those who talk on cell phones or even worse - texting, which is one of the most dangerous activities to engage in while driving. Regardless of how safe a driver, passenger or pedestrian you may be, you should be equally concerned about the number of motorists who risk your life by not pay- ing full attention to safely sharing the road with you," said Chief Superin- tendent Chuck Cox, Com- mander, OPP Highway Safety Division. The vehicles are being implemented on the heels of a survey of licenced Ontario students, in which almost 50 per cent of Grade 12 students admitted to texting while driving. As of June 30, 2014, the OPP had laid over 10,000 charges to Ontario motorists who were caught driving while distracted. Huron County OPP officers have charged 172 drivers this year under the Ontario Distracted Driving Legislation. This number is trending slightly below the number of charges for the 2013 year. Research shows that there is a common mind- set among drivers that they can talk on their cell phone, text, or engage in other driver distractions and do so safely. For this reason, when you are in a vehicle and the person driving engages in any form of distraction, take charge of your own safety. Never be afraid to speak up. Tell the driver to focus entirely on driving and remind them that they are placing your life in danger and that you have the right to be safe. With school buses and pedestrians travelling to and from schools, the OPP is urging all motor- ists who engage in dis- traction to come to terms with the reality that there is no such thing as a "safe" distracted driver and that all distracted drivers pose a threat on our roads. OPP warn motorcycle deaths headed for seven-year high QM! Agency Ontario police are reminding drivers to be aware of motorcyclists as concerns grow the number of bike -related deaths will reach a seven-year high this summer. The Ontario Provincial Police said as of Monday, there have been 26 motorcycle fatalities in OPP jurisdictions - 25 motorcyclists and one passenger. Last year, 28 motorcy- clists died on Ontario roads, compared to 26 in 2012 and 21 in 2011. Since 2008, there have been 168 motorcyclists and seven passengers killed, the OPP said. It's not careless young drivers that are dying, the OPP said. Instead, the highest rate of fatality is among riders between the ages of 45 and 54. As well, 50 of the 175 motorcycle victims between 2008 and this year were driving properly at the time. "Far too often, the actions of another driver are a causal factor in motorcycle crashes," the release said. Police remind motorcy- clists to wear high -visibility equipment and motorists to share the road. clintonnewsrecord.com