Road safety week blitz in North Bay results in 63 charges

An undated photo of an unmarked North Bay Police Service vehicle with its lights flashing. (Supplied/North Bay Police Service)

A week-long traffic enforcement campaign focused on high-risk driving behaviours and community-identified safety concerns in North Bay has resulted in 63 charges and a notable decrease in collisions, local police say.

The North Bay Police Service’s traffic section, with support from the Auxiliary Unit, conducted the enforcement and education initiatives during Canada Road Safety Week.

Efforts targeted concerns raised by residents and local elementary students participating in the Think of Me Campaign, where students shared their traffic safety concerns through artwork.

Charges laid across multiple locations

Officers focused enforcement on several roads identified as community concerns – including Airport Road, Carmichael Drive, Lakeshore Drive, Pinewood Park Drive, Sage Road and Ski Club Road.

Key charges laid during the campaign included:

• 19 counts of speeding
• 4 counts of disobeying signage
• 3 counts of failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover
• 2 counts of driving with a hand-held communication device
• 2 counts of following too closely
• 1 count of a driver failing to properly wear a seatbelt
• 1 count of conducting an unsafe turn
• 1 count of failing to stop at a red light
• 1 count of driving on paved shoulder without authorization
• 1 count of a class G1 licence holder operating a vehicle without a qualified driver

“One driver was charged with impaired operation by drug, while another was charged with having care or control of a motor vehicle with an open container of liquor,” said police in a news release.

The police service said some speeding charges carrying increased fines were laid in community safety zones while classes were in session or school buses were actively loading and unloading students.

During the campaign, officers issued 14 additional 72-hour warning notices for offences including failing to surrender a licence, failing to have an insurance card, driving with an expired licence, driving with an obstructed licence plate, driving without proper rear lights and illegally dark tinted windows.

“All drivers who received warnings complied within the allotted timeframe and corrected the identified issues, avoiding further fines or charges,” said police

Collisions drop during campaign period

During Canada Road Safety Week, police confirmed crashes on public roads in North Bay decreased by 33.3 per cent compared to the previous week, dropping to six collisions.

“While this week’s enforcement efforts showed strong results, we recognize the traffic safety concerns raised by our community and remain focused on proactive enforcement and education to improve road safety throughout the year,” said acting Insp. Jason Long.