Timmins police lay multiple charges in two-week traffic blitz

An undated photo of a Timmins Police Service vehicle. (File photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)

A two-week traffic enforcement campaign by the Timmins Police Service has resulted in numerous charges ranging from stunt driving to drug-impaired driving, with several incidents occurring on a single day.

Between Feb. 19 and March 5, officers conducted proactive traffic enforcement across the community, leading to charges under the Highway Traffic Act, the Criminal Code and other provincial legislation.

“These incidents highlight the importance of safe driving, maintaining roadworthy vehicles, and complying with licence and insurance requirements,” police said in a news release Tuesday.

Unsafe vehicle leads to charges

On the afternoon of Feb. 19, police said officers observed a pickup truck operating in the area of Cedar Street North and Fifth Avenue that appeared to be in an unsafe condition.

Upon inspection, officers identified several deficiencies with the vehicle. Based on what was observed, police deemed the vehicle unsafe to operate.

As a result, the driver was issued a provincial summons for operating an unsafe vehicle.

Distracted driving enforcement

On the morning of Feb. 24, the police service said that an officer observed a driver using a handheld cell phone while operating a vehicle.

The driver was issued a summons under Highway Traffic Act for driving while using a hand-held communication device.

“Even a brief glance at a phone can take a driver’s eyes off the road long enough to miss critical hazards,” added police.

“Drivers are reminded to put their phone away or use hands-free features before beginning their trip.”

Suspended driver, no insurance

During the morning of March 2, an automatic licence plate reader alerted officers to a vehicle associated with a registered owner with a suspended driver’s licence.

A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was confirmed to be driving under suspension. The driver was also unable to provide documentation for insurance or vehicle ownership.

The motorist was charged for operating a motor vehicle without insurance and driving while under suspension.

Multiple incidents on March 5

March 5 was a particularly busy day for Timmins police, with several enforcement actions taking place during that morning.

On Highway 101 East near Rae Hill, police said they observed a driver travelling westbound at a high rate of speed while passing other vehicles.

“A traffic constable recorded the vehicle travelling 147 km/h in an 80 km/h zone,” police said.

A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was charged with stunt driving. Additionally, the motorist’s driver’s licence was suspended for 30 days and the vehicle impounded for 14 days.

In a separate incident that same morning, a plate reader alert informed officers of a potential suspended driver.

Police said that when officers attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle turned abruptly and the driver was observed moving from the driver’s seat into the back seat of the vehicle.

The driver was arrested for driving while under suspension.

“During a search incident to arrest, officers located a set of brass knuckles in the driver’s side door, which are classified as a prohibited weapon under the Criminal Code,” police said.

The driver was charged with knowledge of unauthorized possession of a weapon and issued a summons for driving while under suspension.

Also on that morning, police received a report of a suspicious vehicle.

“Officers located the vehicle parked and running,” police said.

The driver was read a standard field sobriety test demand and officers noted they agreed to perform the test. Police said based on the officers’ observations during the evaluation, police formed reasonable grounds to believe the motorist was impaired and they were then taken into custody.

A drug recognition expert evaluation was conducted and determined the driver was impaired by drugs.

The driver received a 90-day licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The motorist was charged with two impaired driving offences and also issued a ticket for having care or control of a vehicle with cannabis in open original packaging.

Strengthened impaired driving penalties

The enforcement comes as new, strengthened impaired driving penalties took effect in Ontario on Jan. 1. Under the Highway Traffic Act changes, penalties now include:

• Longer immediate licence suspensions
• Expanded “look-back” periods for repeat offenders
• Mandatory education or treatment programs
• Tougher consequences for serious or repeat impaired driving incidents, including increased insurance impacts and potential lifetime licence suspensions for offences causing death

Zero-tolerance rules remain in effect for young and novice drivers.

Road safety reminders

Timmins police also reminded drivers that safe behaviour behind the wheel helps prevent collisions and saves lives. The police force’s reminders included:

• that drivers with a dangerous driving conviction within the past five years are approximately 3.5 times more likely to cause a serious collision than those with a clean record,
• that large trucks are involved in one in five Ontario roadway fatalities each year, making safe and predictable driving around commercial vehicles critical and that
• distracted driving continues to be one of the leading contributors to collisions and fatalities across the province.

Police encouraged all motorists to slow down, avoid distractions, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and never drive impaired.