Impaired Driving

Alcohol or drugs – impaired is impaired. If you know you'll be drinking or using recreational cannabis, make sure to plan ahead for a safe ride home. Stay the night, call a cab, call a friend or loved one to pick you up, use public transit or have a designated driver. There is no excuse for driving under the influence.

If you suspect someone is driving impaired, keep a safe distance away from them. Pull over in a safe area, and call 911. Provide as much detail as possible, including:

  • Location
  • Vehicle description (make, model, colour)
  • Licence plate
  • Direction of travel
  • Description of driver
  • Additional details about what you saw
 Signs of an Impaired Driver
  • Problems maintaining proper lane position (i.e. driving in the middle of the road, left tires on the centre line)
  • Sudden or erratic braking
  • Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
  • Drifting, swerving and weaving
  • Rapidly accelerating or driving at an inconsistent speed
  • Driving significantly slower than the posted speed limit
  • Illegal or sudden turning
  • Making unusually wide turns
  • Nearly striking other cars, pedestrians or objects
  • Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
  • Disregarding traffic signals and lights
  • Driving without headlights at night; failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on for extended periods of time
  • Driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather
  • Inability to judge road proximity to objects: jerky or sharp turns, sudden movements and over-correction of steering

Cannabis may now be legal in Canada, but like many other drugs, cannabis increases a driver's chances of being in a collision by:

  • affecting motor skills;
  • slowing reaction time;
  • impairing short term memory and concentration;
  • causing drivers to vary speed and to wander;
  • and reducing the ability to make decisions quickly or handle unexpected events (such as a child or animal darting out onto the roadway)

If a police officer finds that you are impaired by any drug, including cannabis, you will face serious penalties, including:

  • an immediate licence suspension
  • financial penalties
  • possible vehicle impoundment
  • possible criminal record
  • possible jail time

Distracted Driving

Tempted to look at your phone while driving? You might want to reconsider. As of January 1st, 2019, the existing fines and penalties for distracted driving have increased.

Put the phone down and keep your head up. Answering a text is not worth putting your life or someone else's life at risk. Safe driving demands your full attention.

Drivers with an A, B, C, D, E, F and/or G licence will face (for a first conviction):

  • a fine of up to $1,000
  • three demerit points
  • a three-day day driver's licence suspension

For a second conviction within 5 years:

  • a fine of up to $2,000
  • six demerit points
  • a seven-day driver's licence suspension

For a third and all subsequent convictions within 5 years:

  • a fine of up to $3,000
  • six demerit points
  • a 30-day driver's licence suspension

Drivers with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence convicted of distracted driving will face the same escalating fines as drivers with A to G licences but won't receive any demerit points.

Instead of demerit points, they will face:

  • a 30-day licence suspension for a first conviction
  • a 90-day licence suspension for a second conviction
  • cancellation of their licence and removal from the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) for a third conviction

If the fines and penalties aren't enough to deter you, please remember that when you drive distracted, you are putting your life and the lives of others in danger. Please give your full attention to the road.

Put the phone down. It's not worth the risk.

But why can't I text while I'm stopped at a red light?

Motor vehicle collisions do not JUST occur while a vehicle is in motion. Distracted drivers stopped at lights are often not paying attention to the light cycle and frequently miss advance turn signals or green lights. They are also not paying attention to the actions of other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

While you are driving, including when you are stopped in traffic or at a red light, it is illegal to:

  • use a phone or other hand-held wireless communication device to text or dial – you can only touch a device to call 911 in an emergency
  • use a hand-held electronic entertainment device, such as a tablet or portable gaming console
  • view display screens unrelated to driving, such as watching a video
  • program a GPS device, except by voice commands
 Tips to avoid Distracted Driving
  • turn off your phone or switch it to silent mode before you get in the car
  • put it in the glove compartment (lock it, if you have to) or in a bag on the back seat
  • before you leave the house, record an outgoing message that tells callers you're driving and you'll get back to them when you're off the road
  • some apps can block incoming calls and texts, or send automatic replies to people trying to call or text you
  • ask a passenger to take a call or respond to a text for you
  • if you must respond, or have to make a call or send a text, carefully pull over to a safe area
  • silence notifications that tempt you to check your phone
  • don't text or call others when you know they are driving – parents/guardians often call or text their teens to make sure they are safe on the road or have reached their destinations – but this causes your teen to be distracted while driving

Remember that distracted driving is just as bad as impaired driving. Several studies have shown that texting while driving impairs your driving ability in the same way that alcohol does.

Imagine the pedestrians and passengers in the other cars are people you know and love. Would you want a distracted driver on the road if your loved ones were there?

Please give your full attention to the road.

Speeding

Everyone has somewhere to be. We all want to get to our destinations safely.

Slow down when driving through residential areas, school zones and construction zones. Always pay attention and watch for children, pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, people with disabilities and/or those who use mobility devices, and animals.

Driving at a rate of speed that could injure or kill yourself, your passengers or other road users and pedestrians shows a complete disregard for the value of human life.

Stunt Driving

If you drive 50 km/h over the limit, you could face a stunt driving charge. This holds some major consequences including a $2,000-$10,000 fine, six demerit points, a 2-year licence suspension and up to six months in jail.

Not to mention, a hefty increase to your insurance rates.

Stunt driving is not just speeding though.

Stunt Driving also includes
  • Driving in a manner that indicates an intention to chase another motor vehicle
  • Driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed
  • Driving in a manner that indicates the drivers of the motor vehicles are engaged in a competition
  • Driving without due care and attention, without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that may endanger any person by,
  • Outdistancing or attempting to outdistance one or more other motor vehicles while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed, or
  • Repeatedly changing lanes in close proximity to other vehicles so as to advance through the ordinary flow of traffic while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed
  • Driving with a person in the trunk of the motor vehicle
  • Driving while the driver is not sitting in the driver's seat
  • Driving that indicates an intention to prevent another vehicle from passing
  • Driving that indicates an intention to spin it or cause it to circle, without maintaining control over it
  • Driving that indicates an intention to cause some or all of its tires to lose traction with the surface of the highway while turning
  • Driving that indicates an intention to drive, without justification, as close as possible to another vehicle, pedestrian or fixed object on or near the highway
  • Driving 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
  • 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
  • Stopping or slowing down in a manner that indicates the driver's sole intention in stopping or slowing down is to interfere with the movement of another vehicle by cutting off its passage on the highway or to cause another vehicle to stop or slow down in circumstances where the other vehicle would not ordinarily do so

Remember, life doesn't have a reset button. Drive safe.

Aggressive Driving

Do you speed? Follow too closely? Weave in and out of traffic? Block cars trying to merge? Get angry with or threaten other drivers or pedestrians?

Research indicates that 26% of drivers involved in fatal collisions have been driving aggressively.

Curb your aggression! Don't drive when you're angry, upset or overtired. Allow enough travel time and know alternative routes. A lot of times, road rage emerges from drivers being late for work or an appointment. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.

Road Rage

 Behaviours
  • Tailgating or following a vehicle at an unsafe distance
  • Yelling or cursing at other drivers
  • Cutting off another driver intentionally
  • Blocking entry to another vehicle
  • Speeding
  • Weaving through traffic
  • Honking angrily
  • Making obscene gestures to other drivers
  • Intentionally hitting another car
  • Getting out of a vehicle and confronting another driver

People who experience road rage are more likely to drive aggressively, increasing the risk of an accident that could cause serious personal injuries or even death.

 How to avoid Road Rage
  • First and foremost, be courteous
  • Never tailgate
  • Always use a turn signal when changing lanes
  • Avoid changing lanes at the last minute
  • Always check your mirrors and let faster motorists pass
  • Avoid honking your horn when possible
  • Remember other drivers may have had a very stressful day
 If Road Rage leads to a collision, remember to:
  • Remain calm – Do not try to retaliate against an angry driver. Since the other driver is not thinking rationally, it is up to you to be the calm and courteous person. Avoid talking to the driver, making any gestures or blaming him or her for the accident, which can further escalate the situation.
  • Stay in your vehicle – If a driver was so angry that he or she caused an accident, remain in your vehicle until law enforcement arrives. You do not want the situation to become further escalated by being a victim of assault. If you have to exit your vehicle because of leaking gas or other dangers, stay far away from the other driver and try to stay in a public space.
  • Take mental notes – Try to remember the moments leading up to the accident and details about how the other driver drove aggressively. Take note of the other driver's physical description and description of his or her vehicle. Aggressive drivers who cause accidents may fail to stop at the scene as required by law, so you may need to provide officers with this information so that they can track down the liable party

If you're involved in a collision stemming from road rage and feel like you are in imminent danger, call 911.

If you are not injured and do not feel like you are in imminent danger, call our non-emergent line at 705-675-9171. Provide as much information as possible about the vehicle, including: make, model, colour, license plate, and direction of travel.

If you witness or have been affected by a road rage incident, please report via our online reporting system.

Pedestrian Safety

We often receive complaints of near misses of pedestrian by motorists.

It takes both pedestrians and motorists to cooperate and follow traffic laws to prevent serious injuries on our roads.

You can be charged fines up to $1,000 and receive up to 4 demerit points for failing to yield at a pedestrian crosswalk, school crossing, and/or crossover. Always come to a complete stop when lights are activated.

 Tips for Pedestrians
  • Stay alert at all times and pay attention to your surroundings
  • Cross only at marked crosswalks or traffic lights. Don't cross in the middle of the block or between parked cars.
  • Don't rely on traffic signals or stop signs – ensure vehicles are fully stopped and that it is safe to cross before proceeding
  • Make sure drivers see you before you cross. If the driver is stopped, make eye contact before you step into the road. Make sure the driver or cyclist has enough time to stop before you begin to cross.
  • Wear bright or light-coloured clothing or reflective strips, especially at dusk or when it's dark.
  • Distractions put pedestrians at a much higher risk of being struck by a vehicle. Avoid using a cell phone, or other hand-held electronics while walking, and especially not while crossing streets.
 At a traffic light
  • Cross when traffic has come to a complete stop.
  • Begin to cross at the start of the green light or “Walk” signal, where provided.
  • Do not start to cross if you see a flashing “Do Not Walk” symbol or the light turns yellow. If you already started to cross, complete your crossing in safety.
  • Never cross on a red light.
  • Watch for traffic turning at intersections or turning into and leaving driveways
 Tips for Motorists and Cyclists
  • Always look for pedestrians, especially when turning.
  • Stop for pedestrians at the marked yield bar.
  • Allow the pedestrian to cross the entire width of the road before driving.
  • Drive with caution when the road is clear.
  • Do not pass any other vehicle within 30 metres before a pedestrian crossover.
  • Watch for children. Drive slowly and cautiously through school zones, residential areas, or any other area where children could be walking or playing.
  • Watch out for Community Safety Zone signs that indicate areas where public safety is a special concern, including the possibility of encountering pedestrians.
  • Be patient, especially with seniors or pedestrians with disabilities who need more time to cross the road.

Thank you for considering the safety of others while using our municipal roads.