Northumberland OPP urging drivers to slow down
By reporter Natalie Hamilton
Northumberland OPP is urging drivers to slow down and abandon aggressive driving habits after officers recently laid stunt driving charges in a trio of separate incidents on Hwy. 401.
Northumberland OPP is reminding motorists that speeding and aggressive driving continue to pose significant risks on Ontario roadways.
“Speeding and aggressive driving are dangerous behaviors that increase the risk of serious collisions and place all road users at risk,” Northumberland OPP stated, in a recent release.
Under Ontario law, stunt driving includes travelling 40 km/h or more above the posted speed limit on roads where the speed limit is less than 80 km/h, 50 km/h or more above the posted speed limit on roads where the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, or 150 km/h or more anywhere in the province, regardless of the posted speed limit.
Northumberland OPP has reported investigating several incidents in mid-to-late August related to stunt driving, including one in the Municipality of Brighton.
In the one alleged incident, officers said they were conducting traffic enforcement on Hwy. 401 when they stopped a vehicle travelling westbound at 178 km/h. As a result of the investigation, police said a 30-year-old Pickering man was charged with drive motor vehicle – perform stunt – excessive speed, and careless driving.
In another incident, officers said they stopped a vehicle travelling 165 km/h on Hwy. 401 westbound in the Township of Cramahe. Police said they charged a 24-year-old man from Scarborough with drive motor vehicle – perform stunt – excessive speed.
Meanwhile, in another incident on Hwy. 401 in Brighton, police said they stopped a vehicle after allegedly clocking it at 158 km/h in the eastbound lanes. As a result, police said a 19-year-old London man was charged with drive motor vehicle – perform stunt – excessive speed.
In all three occurrences, the drivers’ licences were suspended for 30 days, and the vehicles were impounded for 14 days, noted OPP.
“Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to react to changing road conditions, increases stopping distances, and significantly raises the risk of serious injury or death in a collision,” explained OPP. “Motorists are urged to obey posted speed limits, drive according to road and weather conditions, and make safe choices behind the wheel.”
Whether travelling across town or along Ontario’s highways, Northumberland OPP reminds motorists that safe driving habits save lives.
OPP is urging all motorists to slow down, leave adequate space between vehicles, remain focused on the road and move over for emergency vehicles and roadside workers who are carrying out their duties in potentially hazardous conditions.
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