(TOWNSHIP OF PERTH SOUTH, ON) On Wednesday July 10, 2013, Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers conducted a two hour traffic enforcement blitz at the construction zone on Hwy 7 at Perth Line 9.
Officers utilizing police radar and a laser speed gun monitored the speed of vehicular traffic in the reduced speed zones on the highway that is currently under construction (near Wildwood Conservation Area).
Between 8 and 10:30 a.m., seven speeding tickets were issued to motorists who failed to obey the posted speed zone of 60 km/h. Each of these drivers received an offence notice for “speeding – construction zone – worker presentâ€. At this construction zone, as at most others, signs are posted advising drivers that “speed fines double when workers are presentâ€.
Each of the seven motorists had their speed fines doubled making these costly violations. (As an example; if a motorist travels 10 km/h over the posted speed limit the fine is $60, if the speed is 20 km/h over the limit the fine is $180. If the speed is 30 km/h or more, over the posted limit the driver will be issued a summons to appear in court. The officer cannot write out a ticket as no out of court settlement exists).
“We will continue to have our officers strictly enforce the construction speed zones in Perth County. Motorists need to understand that these speed zones have been put in place to protect the safety of themselves and the construction workers who sometimes have to work close to the lanes of traffic.†Staff Sergeant Joel Skelding Perth County OPP.
Motorist should slow down when approaching construction zones as there are often many workers, construction equipment, new signs, traffic signals, changed pavement markings and uneven road surfaces. These zones require extra attention therefore drivers should refrain from any distractions.