(MIDDLESEX, ON) – Over this past weekend officers from the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continued in their efforts to keep our roadways safe. Our frontline members conducted directed patrol within the communities we serve and multiple Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) programs throughout the County.
On Saturday December 12, 2020 police charged three drivers, in separate incidents under the Stunt driving legislation with respect to excessive speed.
At 11:14 a.m. the first driver was located travelling at 163km/h in a posted 100km/h zone on HWY 401 located in the Municipality of Thames Centre. As a result of an investigation police have charged a 33 year old from Sherbrooke, Quebec.
At 3:26 p.m. the second driver was located travelling at 142 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone on Plover Mills Rd. Thames Centre. As a result of an investigation police have charged a 24 year old, from St. Mary’s ON.
At 4:24 p.m. the third driver was located travelling at 138 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone on Elginfield Rd. Thames Centre. As a result of an investigation police have charged a 26 year old of London, ON.
All three drivers were issued a Part III Summons at the roadside and release without incident. The drivers will be required to attend the London Provincial Offences court on a future date to speak to the charges.
Police want to remind the public that if you are stopped for stunt driving you can face severe penalties such as:
- Your driver’s licence will be immediately suspended at the roadside and this suspension last for a period of 7 days. In Ontario, you have to pay nearly $300 to reinstate your licence and the suspension will remain on your driving record for 3 years.
- The car you’re driving, whether it’s yours or not, will be impounded for 7 days – that includes your rental car, parents’ car, even your company vehicle. Once the seven day impound is complete the owner will be required to pay all the fees to get it back. This includes the tow and the cost to store it at the impound lot, which is can range from $700 or more.
Stunt Driving is primarily known for speeding in excess of 50 km/h over the posted speed limit but, stunt driving has other offences designed to help keep our roadways safe such as:
- Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to lift some or all of its tires from the surface of the highway, including driving a motorcycle with only one wheel in contact with the ground, but not including the use of lift axles on commercial motor vehicles.
- Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to cause some or all of its tires to lose traction with the surface of the highway while turning.
- Driving a motor vehicle in a manner that indicates an intention to spin it or cause it to circle, without maintaining control over it.
- Driving two or more motor vehicles side by side or in proximity to each other, where one of the motor vehicles occupies a lane of traffic or other portion of the highway intended for use by oncoming traffic for a period of time that is longer than is reasonably required to pass another motor vehicle.
- Driving a motor vehicle with a person in the trunk of the motor vehicle.
- Driving a motor vehicle while the driver is not sitting in the driver’s seat.
- Driving a motor vehicle at a rate of speed that is 50 kilometres per hour or more over the speed limit.
- Driving a motor vehicle at a rate of speed that is 150 kilometres per hour or more.
On Friday December 12, 2020 at 10:40 p.m. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Longwoods Rd. in the Municipality of Middlesex Centre and suspected the driver had been drinking. The driver completed a roadside screening test and registered a “FAIL”. The driver was placed under arrest at the scene and transported to the OPP detachment for further tests. As a result of an investigation police have charged Kristine LOCKWOOD -age 50- of Strathroy, ON with Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), as per section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code. The accused was released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on January 13, 2021 to speak to the charges.
On Saturday December 13, 2020 at 00:15 a.m. Middlesex OPP responded to a single vehicle collision at the intersection of Elgin Rd and Dundas St. in the Municipality of Thames Centre. Police learned that a lone motor vehicle left the roadway and struck pole causing heavy damage to the vehicle. Police determined that the driver had been drinking. The driver was placed under arrest the scene and transported to the London OPP Detachment for further tests. As a result of an investigation police have charged Rebecca PROULX – age 27- of London, ON with one count of Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) as per section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code and Careless Driving as per section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). The accused was release from police custody and is scheduled to appear in court on March 10, 2021 to speak to the charges.
The Middlesex OPP wants to remind the public that if you see anyone who is driving in a manner that puts our roadways or public at risk, you should contact the Ontario Provincial Police or your nearest police authority immediately. 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.
It’s up to all of us to do our part to keep our communities safe. Together we can support a strong and safe community for all.