You've been warned
Monday, March 04, 2013 by: SooToday.com Staff
CITY POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
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March is Distracted Driving Month
As part of the Sault Ste Marie Police Service’s Traffic Management Plan, the month of March is Distracted Driving Month. Officers from both Traffic and Patrol Services will be conducting selective enforcement initiatives for those using or holding handheld communication and entertainment devices while operating a motor vehicle.
The Highway Traffic Act of Ontario prohibits the use these devices and those found contravening the section will be issued a fine of $155. There are exemptions to using a handheld communication device and they are as follows:
1. To contact Police, Fire Department or EMS services
2. While using it in conjunction with a hands free device (Bluetooth type devices)
3. The phone may be used if all of the following are present:
a. The motor vehicle is off the roadway or is lawfully parked on the roadway
b. The motor vehicle is not in motion
c. The motor vehicle is not impeding traffic.
Motorists are reminded that the offence is committed when the driver holds or uses one of these devices, so therefore checking call logs, emails, or texting are all prohibited.
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stiJJy 3/4/2013 8:52:47 AM ReportI approve of this, though it's pretty hypocritical when you see cops driving around on their cells all the time...
aware 3/4/2013 9:00:40 AM ReportJust to be clear, I am well AWARE that this is NOT David Orazietti.
aware 3/4/2013 9:01:08 AM ReportI think it is funny that the man in the photo looks a lot like the Honourable, David Orazietti. If it was, he could be trying to give Rob Ford a run for his money. :)
Sam C 3/4/2013 9:28:52 AM ReportJust to be clear... stopping at a red light is NOT an acceptable time to be using your phone. You are technically still DRIVING at that point, even if the car is not in motion. Pull over somewhere out of the way and put the vehicle in park.
Paddycake 3/4/2013 9:35:51 AM ReportI witnessed a police officer using what appeared to be her personal cell while driving (unless pink iPhone covers are standard issue for police personnel...). I then waited in the left hand turning lane while this officer waited in the inside lane at a red light. What did I see in the outside lane? A guy txting on his cell phone!! Haha I guess the officer felt it would be hypocritical to ticket this gentleman after committing the offense herself merely minutes prior?? Wish I had that kind of luck...
Nats85 3/4/2013 9:45:51 AM ReportI agree, I've seen too many officer's abuse their position for me to take it too seriously. I've seen cruisers turn on their lights and sirens JUST to get through a red light, so they don't wait like the rest of us. And NO they weren't "responding to a call" I sped up to catch up with them and they were driving normally within traffic again a few streets up, laughing and talking in the cruiser. What a bunch of maroons! I've also seen them drinking coffee and eating something, as well as talking on cell phones...oh AND SPEEDING (again not to get to a call because they stopped at a red light when they got to it...speeding just 'cause they can)But what does crack me up is seeing women doing thier make-up while driving! I actually would give any woman who can do that with out poking their eye (which i've done) or blobbing the mascara on thier eyelid instead of their lashes (which i've also done) a high five!
Retreaded 3/4/2013 10:13:18 AM ReportI thought police were exempt from the cell phone ban while driving.
Nats85 3/4/2013 10:21:45 AM ReportBut why? They are supposed to be the MODEL FIGURE of right and wrong, no? They UPHOLD the law, the enforce it..so why should they be EXEMPT from the law? Are they exempt from stopping at red lights too? Are they exempt from excessive speed as well? (outside of responding to emergencies ofcourse) BS on being exepmt from the cell phone law. The have RADIOS that speak outloud to them from dispatch etc. They don't need to be texting or talking on their personal cells.
nanci 3/4/2013 10:35:11 AM ReportYesterday morning, just before 9am I was being closely followed by a Sault Ste. Marie cruiser. Put turn signal on to turn into the new breakfast place on Grt. Northern Rd. The female officer was on a cell phone and I actually thought with horror she was going to rear end me! I first noticed her as she pulled from 2nd line onto Grt.Northern at the lights, she was on the phone the entire time! We made eye contact when I looked in my rearview mirror. Too close for comfort is all I can say.
newcon 3/4/2013 10:44:35 AM ReportGiven the fact that consuming food and/or drink whilst operating a motor vehicle is not contrary to the MVact there is a simple sollution to this issue. "CRAPCO" Industries Ltd. has just introduced cell phones in the shape of a Hamburger or hotdog (fries sold seperately). When stopped by an officer one would just wolf down the phone starting with the antenae first.
The phone is easily recovered by initiating an app downloaded by one of the janitors at the "machine shop"...provide he has enough rubber gloves (that extend to his elbow). Then there's the recently marketed "Coffee and Donut" texting model C/W chocolate icing keypad for those who like to lick their fingers whilst driving from point A to point B,C,D and F, it all depends on where the party was the night before.
And when will the law come down on those who SNEEZE whilst in the care and control of a MV? And then there's the criminal Bees and Hornets. If one has ever "bee"n stung whilst driving they know what I'm talking about. This city should implement a by-law prohibiting the growing of flowers in town because of the attraction to bees. There's a law for everything we just need more paper to print it on...a product St. Mary's Paper made at one time.
Dare I say...Newcon
Bad Dawg 3/4/2013 10:45:02 AM ReportI am tired of seeing people (police included) yapping on their phones. The police are not exempt from this law. You need to get a clear picture of them on their phone, not from a cell phone either (a real camera). A passenger would be best. That is evidence which you send to the Chief of Police and demand a public apology from the officer. They are above no laws and if the few bad apples are noticed the barrel won't go bad!!
Wicket 3/4/2013 11:24:30 AM Report"distracted driving month" indicates to me that it is something to celebrate as when something is proclaimed to be good so we set aside a day/week/month to honour it. How would 'drunk driving month' sound, you know what I mean?
thera 3/4/2013 11:32:09 AM ReportNANCI:
So, that new breakfast place is open? Where the Steamy Bean is right? I wanted to try it, never saw any advertising to say it was open...
(sorry to be off topic guys)
guestwho 3/4/2013 11:35:06 AM Reportdoes having your mutt jumping on your lap count while it`s sniffing air,licking your face,eating sloppy burgers,doing your makeup etc.,all worse than talking on a phone,dialing and texting is the killer!!
guestwho 3/4/2013 11:38:05 AM Reportalso, forgot my bitch about "holding a handheld device" HOLDING really!!!
Ginga 3/4/2013 11:42:43 AM ReportBig thing I see are company trucks people on their phones.. If you need to keep in touch with your workers give them a Bluetooth..
JustMe1234567 3/4/2013 12:16:54 PM Report@thera- Yep Bruno's is now open. I haven't been yet, always been too packed full when I drove by, but my grandfather went and really liked it. it openned last Monday.
Sorry for the off-topic reply to the off-topic question. lol.
phantom 3/4/2013 12:58:27 PM Reportguestwho...Couldn't agree more with the "pet" thing. People driving around with their animals in their laps bouncing on the dash,steering wheel etc. one of these days "fido" is gonna get air mailed right through the front windshield after his owners car piles into someone! And the other day I pulled up beside a woman on her cell phone,pissed me right off so I rolled down my window and threw my beer at her!...LOL! lil humour on a serious subject.
willoweep 3/4/2013 2:27:39 PM ReportInteresting ...
Why a time-limited exemption?
Commercial drivers in transport-related industries (e.g., school buses, taxis, couriers) and public service workers (e.g., transit and highway maintenance workers) rely on the use of certain types of wireless devices and display screen technologies in the performance of their duties.
To help these businesses stay competitive, Ontario granted a three-year exemption which has been extended for an additional five years (to January 1, 2018) to allow for hands-free technologies to be developed:
Hand-held two-way radios for commercial purposes, including mobile and CB radios.
Amateur radio operators, who assist emergency responders in situations such as severe storms and blackouts.
willoweep 3/4/2013 3:05:56 PM ReportTook a few minutes but here it is
Exemption for law enforcement officers
9. The following persons, while engaged in the performance of their duties, may drive a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a hand-held wireless communication device:
1. Police officers, within the meaning of the Police Services Act.
2. Special constables appointed under section 53 of the Police Services Act.
3. Auxiliary members of a police force.
4. First Nations Constables appointed under subsection 54 (1) of the Police Services Act.
5. Persons appointed under a statute of the Parliament of Canada and who are peace officers within the meaning of section 2 of the Criminal Code (Canada).
6. Persons appointed as police constables under section 44 of the Railway Safety Act (Canada).
7. Persons designated as park wardens by the Minister of Natural Resources or under the Canada National Parks Act (Canada).
8. Park wardens under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006.
9. Conservation officers under section 87 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. O. Reg. 366/09, s. 9.
wood_chuck 3/4/2013 3:08:47 PM ReportNot to seem like I am for the police not obeying the same driving rules as we do. But as PUBLIC SERVANTS they fall under a different set of rules and regulations. Police and Fire Fighters fall under similar but different rules as we all do.
S.Claus 3/4/2013 3:18:56 PM ReportI am sure it does apply to First Nations people the cops will look the other way - instead of doing their job just like IDLE NO MORE
tommy_boi07 3/4/2013 7:18:13 PM ReportIt states right in the legislation that this law does not apply to police offers, paremedics and any emergency personnel while they are on the job as their cell phones are tools for their job. As for a pink iPhone case, it is quite possible that this officer has an iPhone paid for by the police and she just happened to put a pink case on it, should we fire her for putting the case on it?
yvonny 3/4/2013 7:36:58 PM Reporti have seen a few people driving around today with the cell phone glued to there ear they must not care about the amount for a fine
guestwho 3/5/2013 3:27:31 AM Reportglued is OK that makes it hands free!!!
crashed13 3/5/2013 8:10:31 AM ReportSo you can use your cell while driving as long as your calling the police.
Can you call the police while driving when you spot someone driving while using there cell like reporting a drunk driver?
What if two drivers are both on there cell phones and both are calling the police to report on each other for driving while on there cell?
It sure can get mixed up. LOL
Nats85 3/5/2013 10:21:54 AM ReportSclaus - Are you just looking for an argument? lol Police definitely stop First Nations on their cellphones. We are not exempt from that law, and they do not "look the other way"..I would know because I got stopped for texting on my phone while at a red light. Get a life.
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
