September 16, 2015
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DRIVER FAILS TO STOP FOR STOPPED SCHOOL BUS
(SOUTH HURON, ON) - Less than two weeks into the school year and police have already charged a local driver with Failing to Stop for a Stopped School Bus. Fortunately, this time, a collision did not occur and nobody was injured.
Sept. 14, at 8:47 a.m. a Huron County OPP officer was completing school zone patrols, when he observed a stopped school bus with the overhead red signal lights flashing and the stop arm activated. While the school bus driver was assisting a student onto the bus, a Pontiac Torrent approached travelling eastbound on Sanders Street West toward William Street in Exeter.
The officer watched as the driver of the Torrent failed to come to a stop for the school bus and continued on through the Stop sign. The officer subsequently pulled the vehicle over and spoke with the driver.
The 34-year-old driver, Alexa REGIER of Exeter, was charged under the Highway Traffic Act with Fail to Stop for School Bus.
The Huron County OPP reminds all drivers to be extra careful and observant for children on or near roadways, particularly during the hours when children are being picked up and dropped off from school. Huron OPP also reminds all drivers of the importance of knowing the law as it applies to school buses stopped on the roadway with alternating red lights flashing.
Every driver, when meeting on a highway (other than a highway with a median strip) a stopped school bus that has its overhead red signal lights flashing, shall stop before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead lights have stopped flashing. When approaching a school bus from the rear that has its overhead signal lights flashing, the driver shall stop at least 20 metres before reaching the bus and not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead lights have stopped flashing.
The penalties upon conviction are as follows:
Something else vehicle owners and drivers should be aware of - school bus drivers and other witnesses can report vehicles that have illegally passed a school bus. If you are the vehicle’s registered owner, these same fines may be applied to you.
KEYS IN VEHICLES LEAD TO CRIMES OF OPPORTUNITY
(HURON COUNTY, ON) - Although the vast majority of vehicle owners do secure their vehicles and remove the ignition keys, there still are a number of Huron County residents who haven’t changed their ways.
Wednesday morning, Sept. 16, a resident of High Street in Clinton, woke up and while she was having her morning coffee, she realized her black, 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser was no longer parked in her driveway.
Upon speaking with the owner, officers determined the vehicle had been stolen sometime between 10:30 p.m. Sept. 15, and 7 a.m. Sept. 16. This vehicle was left insecure with the ignition key left in the cup holder.
Over the past two months (since July 16) Huron County OPP officers have investigated 13 stolen vehicles throughout the county. Although this latest pick-up truck theft occurred in a town, officers have noted many of these stolen vehicles have been taken from the rural area. In at least one case, a pick-up truck was stolen while a farmer was working in a nearby field.
Six pick-up trucks, five cars and three All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) have been stolen during this time. Of these, eight were left insecure with the ignition key easily accessible inside the vehicle.
“Locking vehicle doors and taking the ignition key out of the vehicle is such a simple thing we can all do," says Huron County OPP detective sergeant Mike McCabe. "This basic task should be automatic for everyone. Crime prevention really should be on everyone’s mind; we urge you to take some personal responsibility when it comes to protecting your own property.”
Huron County OPP officers remind everyone to “Protect Your Property”. Remember, a thief can steal your vehicle in less than 30 seconds. A vehicle with an unlocked door or an open window is an easy target. Protect your vehicle and valuables from theft.
Any person with information regarding this stolen vehicle occurrence or any other should immediately contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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