Friday, November 4, 2005

IT’S SNOWING...OPP Urge Drivers To Slow Down

(North East Region, Ontario) The weather office issues warnings of impending snow, freezing rain or drizzle and winds and with that weather comes the inevitability of traffic collisions. Such has been the case in the North East Region today.

Winter driving conditions have begun and the OPP urge drivers to avoid the folly of aggressive driving behavior -slow down, maintain distance between vehicles and avoid the SKID hazard.

Winter collisions occur most often when your vehicle skids. A skid occurs when you apply the brakes so hard that one or more wheels lock, or when you press hard on the accelerator and spin the drive wheels. Skids also occur when you are travelling too fast on a curve and encounter a slippery surface. Skids can best be avoided by anticipating lane changes, turns and curves; slowing down in advance; and by making smooth, precise movements of the steering wheel.

Excess speed reduces the amount of available time needed to avoid a crash, increases the likelihood of crashing and increases the severity of a crash once it occurs. As Inspector Mark Andrews explains, "there is strong denial of the consequences of driving too fast for the conditions with many drivers feeling that they are sufficiently skilled to handle the vehicle and whatever conditions might present themselves".

Drivers of all ages have experienced being 'pushed along' in traffic above what they are comfortable with. Many drivers exhibit a great deal of impatience with drivers travelling at or below the speed limit due to poor conditions and can become quite aggressive. The public needs to be made more aware of the dangers of excess speed in order to combat this dangerous, life-threatening behavior.

For more information on Safe Winter Driving Techniques please contact your local OPP detachment at 1-888-310-1122 and speak to the Community Service Officer for your area.

Charges Laid In Heyden Air Gun Shooting

Heyden, Ont., Members of the Sault Ste Marie OPP Crime Unit have charged one young offender in the pellet gun shooting of a pedestrian.

On Sunday 30 Oct 2005 a pedestrian was running in the 100 block area of Hwy 556 in Heyden when she was shot in the shoulder with an air gun. The victim told police that the pellet ricocheted off her shoulder and struck her jaw.

Yesterday detectives with the Sault Ste Marie OPP Crime Unit charged a 16 year old Heyden boy with three criminal charges. The youth will appear in Young Offenders Court on Tuesday 13 December 2005. He has been charged with Careless Use of a Firearm, Assault With a Weapon, and Discharging an Air Gun With Intent to Wound.

Sex Charges Against Echo Bay Man

Echo Bay, Ont., The Sault Ste Marie OPP Crime Unit have concluded a dated sexual assault investigation that occurred in the Echo Bay area in the late 1990’s.

Investigation has indicated that in the late 1990’s two pre-teen youths were sexually assaulted by the accused. As a result of this investigation, sixty year old David CUNCIC of Echo Bay faces five criminal charges. Mr. Cuncic faces two charges of Sexual Assault, two charges of Sexual Interference and one charge of Forcible Confinement. Mr. Cuncic will appear in Sault Ste Marie Court on 12 December 2005 to answer to these charges.

IT JUST MAKES IT THAT MUCH EASIER TO FIND OUT WHO DID IT

Echo Bay, Ont., Patrol officers with the Sault Ste Marie OPP were called to the highway construction site in Echo Bay at 7:00 a.m. yesterday after the construction company reported thousands of dollars in damage to the site.

Sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning a car ran over 12 large pylons, two road signs and also damaged a culvert. The driver and the car left the scene and did not yet report the damage. Construction crews and the police found most of the front bumper of the car and the attached licence plate still at the scene.

Officers have identified the owner and the driver as both being from Echo Bay. The construction company indicated that they would have to dig up and repair the culvert and replace the damaged pylons and signs. The construction company indicated that they would be willing not to lay charges if the damage was paid for. Within a short time of being confronted with their missing bumper and licence plate, the owner of the vehicle and the driver arrived at the company office with restitution in hand.

At this time no charges will be proceed with.

How My Cross Canada Trip Ended In Laird

Laird Twp, Ont., A Toronto man will have to find an alternative way home after his driver licence, licence plates and vehicle were impounded after a collision yesterday morning

At about 7:30 a.m. yesterday a man returning to Toronto from Alberta hit the guide post on Hwy 17 in Laird Twp. Police investigation indicated that the licence plates on the car had expired. The 2006 validation sticker on that was on the licence plate was not for that particular plate. To further compound his driving issues, a check of the man’s drivers licence revealed that his drivers licence was under suspension.

Thirty seven year old Tyler RIPLEY, of Toronto, now faces charges under the Highway Traffic Act. His vehicle was towed from the scene.

Car-Deer Collison

Echo Bay, Ont., A vehicle had to be towed away from the scene last night after striking a deer just east of Echo Bay.

Last night at about 11:30 p.m. a west bound vehicle was traveling on Hwy 17 just east of Echo Bay. The vehicle struck a deer on the highway. No one was injured in the collision but the vehicle had to be towed from the scene