Drivers be warned: the Peterborough police will be targeting different driving offences every month in 2017 — beginning with the misuse of accessible parking permits in January.
The Peterborough Police Service’s Traffic Management Unit will be targeting a difference offence each month, in addition to other traffic initiatives such as the top 10 worst intersections for collisions, heavy vehicle details, and vehicle inspections.
“All the initiatives are designed to educate the public while providing enforcement with the goal to make all roadways safer for everyone who uses them,” says Peterborough Police Service Traffic Management Sergeant Jeff Chartier.
For the month of January, the focus is on cracking down on the misuse of accessible parking permits.
“Legislation states that only the person named on the accessible parking permit is allowed to use the permit and the accessible parking spot,” explains Sergeant Chartier. “This ensures those accessible parking spaces that are both safe and accommodating are readily available to those that really need them. If another person uses the permit, it can result in fines of up to $5,000 and the permit may be seized.”
Here are the other offences police will target each month in 2017:
- February: Distracted Driving. Traffic officers will focus on distracted driving including the use of cell phones, GPS, and entertainment devices.
- March: School Crossing Guards and School Bus infractions. Officers will focus on offences relating to school crossing guards, including the requirement to make certain the intersection is clear before entering the crosswalk, and motorists disobeying school bus lights.
- April: Traffic Lights. Officers will focus on motorists who disobey red light and amber lights.
- May: National Road Safety Week Officers will focus on the unsafe driving practices as identified by the Canada Safety Council.
- June – Emergency Vehicles. Officers will focus on motorists approaching, in the same direction, an emergency vehicle with emergency lights flashing, who do not slow down and pass the emergency vehicle with caution. Emergency vehicles are defined as police, fire, ambulance and tow vehicles.
- July – Speed. Officers will focus on speed enforcement.
- August – Distracted Driving. Traffic officers will focus on distracted driving including the use of cell phones, GPS, and entertainment devices.
- September – School Crossing Guards and School Bus infractions. Officers will focus on offences relating to school crossing guards, including the requirement to make certain the intersection is clear before entering the crosswalk, and motorists disobeying school bus lights.
- October – Operation Impact. Officers will focus on offences as identified by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, with particular attention on the Thanksgiving weekend.
- November – Intersection/Sign offences. Officers will focus on intersection-related offences, including traffic lights, stop/yield signs, speed signs, etc.
- December – Impaired Driving. Officers will be focused on alcohol and drug impaired offences.
