(TOWNSHIP OF PERTH SOUTH, ON) – On Saturday July 18, 2015, shortly before 6:30 a.m., a Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was dispatched to a single motor vehicle collision at the Hwy 7 and the Perth Road 118 roundabout.
Investigation revealed that in heavy fog an east bound Dodge Grand Caravan on Hwy 7 entered the roundabout at a high rate of speed. The driver failed to negotiate the turn and struck the inner curb of the roundabout. The impact caused extensive front wheel damage to the vehicle. The lone male occupant of the van was not injured as a result of the crash.
The 42-year-old male driver of the minivan, a Cambridge resident, has been charged with “careless driving”, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario.
Shortly before 7:30 a.m. while the OPP officer was still investigating the initial collision, a second motor vehicle(Honda Civic) proceeding east bound on Hwy 7, mounted the median, and struck a yield sign just prior to entering the roundabout. The vehicle collided with the roundabout’s inner curb and came to rest in the centre of the intersection. The lone occupant of the Honda Civic was also not injured.
The 49-year-old male driver of the Civic, a London resident, has been charged with “careless driving”, and “fail to surrender drivers licence” contrary to the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario. He was also charged with “fail to surrender insurance card” contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act of Ontario.
Both drivers failed to follow the major tip for driving safely in fog, and that is to slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits the conditions.