RACING CHARGE IN SCHOOL ZONE DURING OPP’S BACK TO SCHOOL INITIATIVE

(WELLINGTON COUNTY, ON) – The Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) started their Back to School Safety initiative on August 22, 2014 that will run through to September 5, 2014. The initiative focuses on a marked and unmarked police vehicle and foot patrol presence in and around the school zones. Included in the safety strategy is the deployment of OPP portable speed measurement signs and the use of the Detachment’s automated Licence Reader cruiser. There are 32 schools within Wellington County and the OPP’s goal is to ensure the safety and protection of the children attending these schools.

“The purpose of the initiative starting the week prior to the beginning of the school year is to continue to address driving behaviour around our schools, cross walks and bus zones before the students return. We want to remind the motoring public and parents alike that are children are back walking, cycling, skateboarding, and driving to their classes during the first week back to school and there may be some “seasonal complacency” that has set-in that we need to address”, says Inspector Scott Lawson, Wellington County OPP Detachment Commander. “Our goal is to ensure we collectively take responsibility for the safety of our children as they embark on another year of learning”, he said.

While serious incidents and traffic complaints regarding aggressive driving in the schools zones are infrequent in Wellington County, they still occur.

On August 27, 2014 at approximately 8:21 a.m. members of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Traffic Management Unit (TMU) were conducting speed enforcement and monitoring traffic in the school zone on the Fifth Line south of Wellington Road 22 in Guelph-Eramosa Township. At this time and location officers observed a southbound motor vehicle travelling well above the posted 60 km/h speed limit. Police clocked the 2014 Dodge Ram pick-up on radar at 118 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.

His driver’s licence and vehicle, were seized for a period of 7 days as per statute.

Trevor ALDRIDGE age 39 of Guelph has been charged with Race a Motor Vehicle contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. He is to appear in Guelph Court on October 15, 2014 to answer to the charge.