Tuesday, October 21, 2003

THAT’S NO SPEED BUMP STICKING OUT ON THE ROADAWAY

Goulais River, Ont.,

An occurrence in Goulais River last night can be used as a reminder of just what could be out there on the highway that you may just run over or run into.

Just before 10:00 p.m. last night Sault Ste Marie OPP were called to Highway 17, north of the intersection of Hwy 552. A motorist advised that one hitchhiker was lying down on the side of the roadway sleeping in a sleeping bag. His partner was sitting on the roadway beside him with his thumb out trying to solicit a ride. Both of them were wrapped in dark clothing.

Police arrived to find that the one man was sleeping in his sleeping bag and the two right on the edge of the roadway. A short chat about the disadvantages of this strategic positioning and a ride to a nearby-lit intersection by the OPP resolved this potentially deadly act.

Sault Ste Marie OPP would like to take advantage of this opportunity to remind everyone just how much time and distance it takes to react to a situation like this.

When you are traveling at 90 km/h it usually takes a person three seconds to see and react to an obstacle on the roadway. In those three seconds, at 90 km/h, you just traveled 75 meters, which is equivalent to 246 feet. That is just the amount of time and distance it takes the normal A W A K E person to get their foot on the brake pedal and to start to brake.


Think about that 75 meters (246 feet) next time you are traveling anywhere on our area highways. Now think what would have happened if that hitch hiker mistakenly rolled over onto the traveled portion of the highway.

Drive like someone’s life depends on it—someday it just might be yours !!!