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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-12-09, Page 3Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, December 9,2009 - Page 3 Police ramping up RIDE checks for holiday season Marti Cremes signal -star staff It is not an easy task to keep Huron Coun- ty's roadways safe, but Huron OPP are step- ping up their presence for a fatality -free holi- day season with their Fesitve RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program. Police in Huron have set ambitious targets this year, based on 'their successes from pre- vious years. In 2008, the Festive RIDE program stopped more than 880,000 vehicles at checkpoints throughout the province, result- ing in 319 criminal code, alcohol-related of- fences. A total of 784 12 -hour suspensions were also handed out, along with 353 90 -day administrative drivers licence suspensions. Acting Sergeant Craig Soldan said the Huron OPP have set a goal to check 18,000 cars county -wide between November 27 and January 2. Of those 18,000, officers expect to issue 12 warn -range suspensions, seven alcohol- related criminal code charges and subse- quent licence suspensions, and 45 other charges related to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). "We will be trying to meet and exceed these," Soldan said. "All across the county" A reminder for motorists who think one or two drinks is fine - anything above .05 will result in a warn and a three-day suspension of your licence. For creatures of habit, the second warn is seven days and the third is 30. It's a tough system, but fair, said Soldan. 'There is nothing worse than losing a lf�aari �f�a t� sol opne' yho was iirt es1 1- > ble," he said. "We are trying to remove those people from the roadway. To help meet their targets, 16 additional officers will be on the roads conducting RIDE checks, and Soldan said any day of the week there is a checkpoint set up some- where in the county. Soldan said while the most -populated areas in the county generally see the most charges laid, OPP are random with the loca- tion of their checks, just as drivers trying to avoid them are. He said police setting up on secondary roads have been successful in intervening those who try to avoid RIDE checks. The officer noted one instance where OPP set up on Front Road in Huron East, and the very first car through the check resulted in a disqualified driver charge, and a charge of having liquor readily available. "People take alternate routes," he said. "Taking backroads to try and go undetect- ed. "We get creative with our locations." In that instance, Soldan said the driver tried to turn off and avoid the RIDE check altogether - a bad idea but a good way to get followed. "We're doing it for everyone's safety," he said. "If you are not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about. If you try to avoid us, we will chase you down." Within one hour on the sideroad, Soldan said four charges were laid. As of Nov 22, 271 people have died on OPP-patrolled roadways, and 42 of those deaths were alcohol-related. "Drinking and driving is a serious threat Hoaoowlth Asphalt RhIngl.s In Nsd of Rsplacsnant • Orl i. mite N' Moo esitioriois most trusted metal roofing specialist 11 looking for homes in your arra that need a new roof and now We offer the beauty and elegance of a natural wood shake roof with the durability and unmatched performance of metal. It comas with • SO year, transferable Warranty against: wind, rain, snow, moss, hall and tree resin. This beautiful roof is being introduced to your local market now. If you partidpats in our Display Home Program, we will reduce our already competitive pricing and makes it worth your while to investigate the many benefits of our roof. You must book your job within 10 days of this advertisement Low payment 1 001 linandng avallabley, O.A.C. CaUr� i-NSifl7ii9 to public safety and remains the leading cause of criminal death. in Canada," said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino in a late - November press release. "Thetragic loss of life... touches every one of us at some point in our lives." Earlier this fall, the OPP held a Thanksgiv- ing -weekend blitz called Operation Impact, with the goal of reducing aggressive driving and motor -vehicle collisions. Officers made con- tact with nearly 5,000 drivers - more than triple their original goal. Officers also laid triple - sometimes more - charges than they set out to do. Over the last long weekend, 14 criminal code charges were handed out, along with 188 speeding, four suspended li- cences and 23 other HTA offences. Soldan said next year's goals will be lofti- er to ensure another fatality -free Thanksgiv- ing. In the meantime, Soldan said the best thing for Huron County drivers to do is take it slow as the weather dictates, make sure all passengers in the vehicle have seatbelts, and of course, don't drink and drive. GDCI Music Presents... uesday, December 15th, 7:30 pm Featuring: GDCI Concert Band GDCI Jazz Band Grade 10 Ensemble Grade 7/8 Ensemble Saxophone Quartet 67 Adults / 65 Students Tickets available at GDCI office or at the door Comnq to Goderic Peter Mansbridge ��tt11 t ti,i thiN t .II1.01.1t1 1111'\ 1\11►i1 Ic 1111 .111c1 t'lli 1:)i),.; "111‘t it11i111.11iv1`, (111 WI. 1)1'111C1 1 P/u.v...Phil Mains Scott !'c'ftlgrv''w *with,. be Bi oadcas ring LIVE` On Location! E • • 7