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The Citizen, 1990-12-18, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1990. Police stepping up efforts to make roads safe BY BONNIE GROPP ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but keep in mind if you are going to be making merry over this festive season don’t drink and drive. Police representatives explained at a press conference in Goderich on November 27, that in an effort to deter people from getting behind the wheel of the car after a few drinks there will be a noticeable increase in RIDE (Reduce Imparied Driving Everywhere) spot checks. This was to commence on Decem­ ber 3 and all available personnel and vehilces from Exeter, Goderich and Wingham O.P.P. detachments will be detailed to this program with assistance from the Mount Forest OPP Headquarters District RIDE Team. There will also be joint force operations wtih local police in Clinton, Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth and Wingham. What is importance to notice, according to the officers, is that the increased public awareness and media attention on the program is working. They said that in last year’s blitz there were 3,311 dri­ vers checked in Huron County. Of these only six were charged with alcohol related criminal code driv- ii ? offences. A total of 14 motorists were taken off the road with 12 hour license suspensions and 20 faced Liquor License Act charges for having liquor easily accessible to the driver. “The bottom line is that we are stopping more vehicles and catch­ ing less,’’ said OPP Constable Jeff Sabin. “We are finding that even the young people are acting more responsibly having designated dri­ vers appointed. People are more conscious of the situation now, because of things like the RIDE program being promoted. I think through education the young people are growing up with a changing attitude.’’ The idea that anyone would take the chance is hard to believe. Drinking and driving is a criminal offence and like a bank robber, if convicted you will have a criminal record. Under the criminal code it carries severe penalties. OPP Constable Michael Scott explained that once a driver is stopped if he admits to drinking or the officer smells the liquor on him, the policeman is then entitled to read him a demand to provide a sample into the roadside ALERT (Alcohol Level Evaluation Road Tester). Const. Scott said that the ALERT will first be warmed up to operating temperature and if the officer suspects the person has been smoking they will wait for three or four minutes as cigarette smoke can register a false high reading. “Should he fail the officer then has reasonable and probably grounds to take the driver to the station for further testing,” said Const. Scott. If the driver blows a warning on the ALERT he will be issued a 12-hour suspension on the spot, the car will be secured and left at the scene. “We will try to see if we can find a sober driver to get him home, but a warning may mean the risk of a towing charge,” Const. Scott said. The breathalizer, Const. Sabin explained, is based on a chemical reaction. “It is a complex scientific instrument that takes two weeks of training for an officer to learn to operate. The accused breathes into an intake tube which gathers into one of the two chambers. It takes 90 seconds for the alcohol to react with the solution, which slowly loses its yellow colour giving the BAC (Blood Alcohol Count). “When the accused is first brought in I introduce myself and explain the breathalizer and the BAC to him,” said Const. Sabin. “The first step must be taken within two hours and it is at this stage they will cry everything to try and trick Constable Michael Scott of the Goderich OPP, right, demonstrates how the ALERT road-side breath test works tocatch drunkdrivers. With him are: Constables Jeff Sabin of the OPP and Mark Johnston of the Goderich force. The three were at a press conference recently to promote the RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program. breathalizer. Pretending tothe blow into it doesn’t work, though. There is no way to beat it. “The breathalizer is tested prior to being used, Const. Sabin said. “It is fool proof.” Const. Sabin says that essen­ tially it is easier to blow into the breathalizer than the ALERT “a six-year-old can do that.” About 15-17 minutes after first test has been taken accused will be brought back in for a second sample as stated by the Criminal Code. It is a criminal offence to refuse to take either the road-side test or the breathalizer. Regardless of the fact that you were driving safely and you may have a blood alcohol level below the legal limit is irrelevant. You will face the same charge for refusing to give a sample, as you would for failing, said Goderich Constable Mark Johnston. He explained as well that a lot of pepole who fail the breathalizer will mistakenly say they have been charged with impaired. Though the penalties are the same they are two separate offences. “If I stop a vehicle because the driver has been weav­ ing back and forth over the line and then continue to gather evidence proving he has been drinking I can charge him on the spot with impaired,” said Const. Johnston. Evidence, he says could be the driver’s inability to pass the stan­ dard roadside tests, such as walk­ ing a straight line or touching a finger to the nose; or if the officer smells liquor. After being charged with impaired the driver will be asked to come back to the station for a breathalizer test, which he may pass or fail. Should he have and the the less than the legal limit, the impaired charge will still stand. The minimum penalties Con­ stable Johnston said for impaired driving; driving with blood alcohol level exceeding .08 per cent or failing to provide a breath or blood sample without a reasonable ex­ cuse are the same. The first offence is a minimum $300 fine and three months driving prohibition. “This means that you can drive a tractor or other machinery after that time,” Const. John said, “how­ ever, your driver’s license is sus­ pended for one year.” The second offense carries a penalty of 14 days in jail with a one-year suspension and a six months prohibition from operating any vehicle. Every subsequent offence will mean 90 days in jail and one year’s driving prohibition. Maximum penalties could mean fines of $2,000 and be as severe as five years imprisonment and three years driving prohibition. Should you cause an accident and someone dies as a result, Const. Johnson said the maximum penalty is 14 years imprisonment and 10 years driving prohibition. Impaired driving causing bodily harm could carry a penalty of 10 years in prison and 10 years driving prohibition. There are many other offences a person can be tried for as well, Const. Johnson said such as care or control. A lot of times the decision on whether or not to test or charge a person is a difficult one to make due to circumstances. “There is an attitude factor involved,” said Const. Scott, “and a lot of times it’s a judgement call.” Continued on Page 22 Letter from the editor Continued from Page 5 were 18 Liberal farmers and only two Tory farmers elected to the Legislature. Backed by this rural base the Liberals expanded into the cities and won a huge majority in 1987. But Mr. Phillips claims Peterson surrounded himself by smart city advisers and severed his ties with the people from the back conces­ sions. “He made it clear that Toronto and London businessmen had more smarts than cattlemen and hog producers.” Mr. Riddell, Mr. Phillips says, “had angered some of his cabinet colleagues by his persistent urging for a safety net program”. He was also regarded as a hick because he didn't wear SI,500 Holt Renfrew suits. He wouldn’t budge on his principles for political expediency. He was dropped from cabinet. Ironically it was probably in that one act that David Peterson began the undermining of his own power. It certainly started his loss of Huron riding. Peterson’s abrupt dropping of Mr. Riddell and his replacement with the David Ramsay became campaign issue in the symbolized the sense Peterson was all flash and glitter but didn’t stand for anything. The greatest shock of the elec­ tion was that ridings like Huron and Lambton and Perth could go NDP. Those rural ridings that had so long been Tory and had become Liberal apparently reluctantly, ap­ peared to be what would keep the NDP from ever forming a govern­ ment. Instead they zapped David Peterson and gave Bob Rae the boost he needed to form a majority government. See, now and again we still can kick back. compliant the major riding. It that Mr. Specializing in made to order GIFT BASKETS A great idea for your staff - complete Baskets priced from $10.95 Open: Mon.-Sat. 7:30 a»m. - 10p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. TODAY S VARIETY & GENERAL STORE Londesboro 523-9790 DECEMBER SWINE SPECIAL Pre-mix 1 BAG FREE with every 10 purchased Walton, Ont NOK 1Z0 887 6023 Dungannon, Ont N0M 1R0 529 7951 529 3133 OUTSIDE OF BLYTH SHEEPSKIN — an extraordinary personal gift r i 7 at Christmas Time! WithSo ManyWorth while Uses. FOR SPECIAL PLACES & SPECIAL PEOPLE « Christmas Shopping at... OUTSIDE OF BLYTH The Selection that Inspires Personalized Choices. 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