THUNDER BAY – Just as parents are starting to get their children ready for school, Thunder Bay Police are working to get drivers ready for school too.
Police report that “Officers were busy again yesterday and issued 56 tickets at or very near to school and community safety zones across the City”.
One of the more noteworthy catches of the day came just before 5:00PM EDT on Rosslyn Rd. near the 20th Sideroad. A Ford sedan that was observed approaching the posted school zone from the west was found to be traveling at 103 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone.
A 19-year-old male has been charged with speeding, and stunt driving. The driver will have a court date in November.
Police report that “The young man has had his driver’s licence suspended and vehicle has been impounded for seven days. Penalty will be determined by the court if a conviction is found”.
Backgrounder on Ontario Legislation
Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America. Our roads and highways will be even safer through Bill 203, which targets drinking drivers and street racers. This legislation:
- Increases fines for street racers and aggressive drivers, including those who drive 50 km/h or more over the posted speed limit, to $10,000 and allows police to immediately suspend the driver’s licence and impound the vehicle for seven days;
- Better protects law enforcement in the line of duty by adding new blue flashing lights to police vehicles to increase visibility;
- Creates escalating sanctions for repeat drinking drivers with Blood Alcohol Concentration measuring 0.05 to 0.08 and;
- Allows drivers who are suspended for drinking and driving to get their licences back early if they install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle.
Street Racers and Aggressive Drivers – Effective September 30, 2007
The legislation includes tough measures for those who choose to race on Ontario’s roads, including higher fines and longer suspensions:
- The maximum fine increases from $1,000 to $10,000 upon conviction for street racing, making it the highest penalty in Canada. The minimum fine increases from $200 to $2,000.
- Police can issue an immediate seven-day driver’s licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment for street racing, participating in a driving contest or stunt driving.
- Courts can impose a driver licence suspension of up to 10 years for a second conviction, if the second conviction occurs within 10 years of the first. For a first conviction, the maximum licence suspension period remains at 2 years.
- The definition of a “driving stunt” includes driving a motor vehicle at 50 km/h or more above the posted speed limit.
- The Act also bans driving a motor vehicle on a highway with a connected nitrous oxide system. Some street racers use nitrous oxide to enhance the acceleration capabilities of their vehicles.
