It was an eventful morning on the holiday Monday for two Northumberland OPP officers taking four vehicles off the road for Stunt Driving.
Northumberland OPP Constable Kevin McAllister and Highway Safety Division Constable Chad Laperle were conducting traffic enforcement on the Wesleyville overpass overlooking Highway 401 in the Municipality of Port Hope.
Monday marked the last day of Canada Road Safety Week where officers were concentrating on speeding, seatbelts, impaired driving and distracted driving.
The officers were mainly focusing on the eastbound lanes, but with the roar of mufflers coming in the distance, their attention quickly changed to westbound traffic.
Two vehicles travelling in close proximity to one another passed at over 190 kph.
By the time the two officers pulled the vehicles over, they were in Durham Region.
A Mustang was clocked at 194 kph and a Infiniti was clocked at 195 kph.
Both were rental vehicles.
The driver of the Mustang spoke to Today’s Northumberland while waiting for a tow truck to arrive.
He was on his way home to Toronto, coming from Belleville and stated he just rented the car, “I don’t know anything about this car.”
Because he was drinking coffee he said he couldn’t see the speedometer or how fast he was travelling.
But when asked about someone driving over 190 kph, the driver admitted, “it’s pretty dangerous.”
In three short hours on Monday, Laperle charged four drivers with Stunt Driving.
“It’s a regular day on the 401 nowadays,” said Laperle.
“With COVID-19 and there is so much open space on the road and less traffic that people have a lot more opportunity to drive that speed.”
“Being a holiday Monday there is next to no tractor trailers out here.”
“Traffic is quite light, but it’s still extremely dangerous.”
“At speeds like that, you’re startling people because people are driving on a highway that is pretty much empty then all of a sudden, something goes by them so fast it causes problems.”
Compounding the danger, there was a light rain.
One of the drivers was unaware that police could impound a vehicle if it was a rental car, but Laperle said it doesn’t matter who owns the vehicle.
“It’s a mandatory by statute impound for seven days regardless who owns it. If it’s a friends car, parents car, rental car – it doesn’t matter.”
On Sunday, Laperle impounded a vehicle with a 17-year-old who had a G2 license for approximately one month who was clocked at 171 kph and late for work.
“There is no excuse for travelling at these speeds.”
“Everybody has a cell phone. If you’re running late you can call. There is no reason to drive at that speed at all.”
McAllister said since Tuesday, which was the start of Canada Road Safety Week he has worked five shifts and handed out just over 100 charges, mainly for speeding, but seatbelts along with Stunt Driving.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
