Monday, February 3, 2003

YOUR WINTER PARKING METHODS MAY GET YOU TOWED
Searchmont, Ont..,

Now that the snow has settled into our winter wonderland in the Sault Ste Marie and surrounding area, it has started to create another annual traffic problem with area sportsmen.

Winter parking on area roadways may cause your vehicle to be towed. The snow in the Sault Ste Marie area has accumulated enough so that snow banks are slowly reducing the width of the area side roads. Some of those favorite and special parking spots that people had are now snow-filled and gone until spring.

The OPP is finding that some people are parking on the roadway or too close to the roadway and they are interfering with snow removal. The Highway Traffic Act of Ontario allows the police to tow any vehicle that is interfering with snow removal.

So far police have not had to tow any vehicles but with the increase in concerns addressed by area plow drivers as well as other emergency response personnel, there may be a need to remove some of these vehicles.

In some circumstances outdoor enthusiasts are parking their trucks and trailers on the roadway and leaving them there for extended periods of time while they are in the bush.

The weather forecast for the next several days is calling for heavy snow fall in our area. Ambulances, fire trucks and rescue personnel may be responding to assist you, your property or one of your loved ones. In emergencies seconds may make the difference between life and death.

Think about where you are parking. Can the snow plow operators do their job properly with you parked in that particular spot? Whether it be one hour or one week away from your vehicle, park so it will not be towed while you are away.


DRINKING AND DRIVING CONTINUES
Laird Twp, Ont.,

Sault Ste Marie OPP arrested and charged one man with impaired driving and another received an 12-hour drivers license suspension over the weekend

On Saturday night at about 9:30 p.m. officers checked a vehicle on Finn?s Bay Road in Laird Twp. The driver of the vehicle show obvious signs of impairment. He was returned to the Sault Ste Marie OPP detachment were he failed the breathalyzer tests.

Forty-one-year-old Derryll McCaig of Laird Twp will appear in court in March to answer to the charge.

At 4:30 a.m. on Saturday morning a Sault Ste Marie OPP officer stopped a pick up truck on Great Northern Rd. The male driver of the truck was given a roadside breath test and his drivers licence was suspended for 12 hours.