THUNDER BAY – City police laid 124 charges including three related to stunt driving, during a two-day traffic enforcement blitz on Dawson Road.
The Thunder Bay Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police Northwest Region, and the Ministry of Transportation Ontario conducted a joint project along problem areas on Dawson Road on Nov. 22 and 23.
“I would say on a weekly basis, a call comes through our office or there’s a collision serious enough that draws our attention to Dawson Road requiring our attention,” said
“But the city moving it to a 50 zone is a huge step to slow traffic as they enter our city. But we require the motorists actually slow to 50 in order for it to be done safely.” Thunder Bay Police Service acting sergeant Sal Carchidi.
Over the course of the two-day blitz, 124 charges were laid for offences including: failing to stop for traffic lights, commercial motor vehicle mechanical and administrative offences, driving while suspended, etc.
Three charges of stunt driving were also laid including one incident involving a tractor trailer and two motorists were charged with driving without a licence.
Five hundred commercial vehicles were inspected and 20 commercial vehicles were taken out of service; two commercial vehicle operators were taken out of service.
Six charges were laid for failing to slow down/proceed with caution for emergency vehicles or tow trucks.
One hundred thirty mandatory alcohol screening demands were made with zero having been found to be impaired, however, one driver was arrested for suspected impaired driving by drug.
One motorist was arrested on warrants after being flagged by automated license plate recognition.
In one incident of stunt driving, police observed a vehicle with a passenger riding in a folding chair in the cargo (trunk) area of the vehicle. The driver was charged for stunt driving and the passenger was charged with failing to occupy position with seatbelt.
The traffic enforcement blitz was a police response to ongoing public complaints and traffic data collected by the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Traffic Unit.
These complaints and data have helped police identify Dawson Road as a serious risk to motorists in Thunder Bay and surrounding area due to extreme speeds, increased commercial traffic and vehicles failing to stop for traffic controls.
Police will continue to monitor the traffic situation and enforce traffic violations along Dawson Road.
“In our opinion, all collisions are avoidable, especially fatal collisions, our goal is to have no fatal collisions within the city of Thunder Bay. Speed is a factor and most of our collisions are driving outside of road conditions speed,” said Carchidi.
”Just slowing down, being aware, taking a little extra time to get where you’re going.”
