(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ON) – During the course of a busy Civic Holiday Long Weekend members of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continued their positive efforts to stop the unnecessary loss of life on Ontario roadways. Officers participated in Provincial wide effort, to be on the lookout for those who choose to drive while their ability is impaired by alcohol or drugs, those who are not in compliance with seat belt laws and those who are found to be distracted or driving aggressively.
The OPP was also looking for drivers to adhere to Ontario’s Move Over law. This law applies to all motorists who are approaching a police, fire or ambulance vehicle in the same direction of travel, stopped on the roadside with its lights flashing. Drivers in this situation are required to slow down and pass with caution, but if the road has multiple lanes, drivers must move over into another lane, if it can be done safely.
OPP officers were also highly visible on the water and on trails, laying charges against those people who show a disregard for public safety while boating or off-roading.
Statics recorded over the Civic Holiday Weekend from August 02 through August 05, 2013 reported that the OPP completed:
Directed hours of patrol – 7,174
Failing to Move Over For Emergency Vehicle charges – 290
Speeding charges – 6,052
Racing charges – 83
Distracted Driving charges- 375
Impaired Driving charges – 95
Warn Rang Suspensions – 91
Marine offences – 128
ATV related offences – 41
Detachment Commander Tony Cristilli states “Keeping the people we serve safe is a top priority for every member of the Middlesex OPP Detachment, both uniform and civilian. We take great pride in the professional services we provide our communities on a daily basis. When they are not responding to calls for service, our officers pursue traffic related safety strategies in attempts to stop the unnecessary loss of life on Middlesex County roadways. But we don’t work in isolation. It takes all of us to prevent crime and to help keep our roadways safeâ€.
If you see anything that puts our community at risk you should contact your nearest police authority. The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.