The RCMP are using some rather unusual methods to crack down on traffic infractions in Prince Rupert, including the use of plain clothes officers acting as spotters for marked cruisers further down the road. That and other methods being put into use were examined in Tuesday’s Daily News.
POLICE WARN DRIVERS ‘WE’RE WATCHING’
Officers employing various methods to catch infractions
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Page three
Prince Rupert’s Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) is using some new and innovative enforcement methods to keep drivers and pedestrians safe.
In late May, IRSU, known as the traffic division, stationed a plain clothes officer downtown with a radio to observe traffic violations, such as drivers not yielding to pedestrians and people not wearing seatbelts.
The violation and vehicle descriptions were then radioed to officers waiting at a major intersection where drivers were pulled over.
“The techniques are basically anything they can come up with,” said Const. Steve Richards, media relations officer for the Prince Rupert RCMP.
“Different detachments do what works for them”
Corporal Phil Mager, Integrated Road Safety Unit, said that even though the officers handing out the tickets have not seen the violation, they can issue the ticket based on their partner’s information.
“Many people are still not buckling up and complying with the Motor Vehicle Act,” he said.
Another problem area that has been identified is pedestrian safety, not just driver behavior.
“If we see pedestrians doing something unsafe, we will speak with them as well,” said Mager.
Drivers are reminded to follow some very important key points: drive at a safe speed; don’t follow to closely; don’t run red or yellow lights; watch for and stop for pedestrians; never drink and drive; and always buckle up and ensure all passengers do the same.
The cost of violating several sections of the Motor Vehicle Act have also increased. As of Mon., May 14, seatbelt fines (failing to wear a seatbelt, allowing a passenger without a seatbelt etc,) increase from $138 to $167. Operating a vehicle with too many persons (more people than seatbelts) will get the driver a fine of $311.
RCMP members responded to 580 traffic incidents in 2006, up six per cent from the previous year. That number mostly comprised collisions, both minor and major, but includes miscellaneous traffic calls not covered as a moving or non-moving violation.
Also, 104 criminal code traffic charges were laid in 2006, up for 87 in 2005. The vast majority of these were for Impaired Driving or Refusal to Provide a Breath Sample, but they also included Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Dangerous Driving and Driving while Prohibited.
POLICE WARN DRIVERS ‘WE’RE WATCHING’
Officers employing various methods to catch infractions
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Page three
Prince Rupert’s Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) is using some new and innovative enforcement methods to keep drivers and pedestrians safe.
In late May, IRSU, known as the traffic division, stationed a plain clothes officer downtown with a radio to observe traffic violations, such as drivers not yielding to pedestrians and people not wearing seatbelts.
The violation and vehicle descriptions were then radioed to officers waiting at a major intersection where drivers were pulled over.
“The techniques are basically anything they can come up with,” said Const. Steve Richards, media relations officer for the Prince Rupert RCMP.
“Different detachments do what works for them”
Corporal Phil Mager, Integrated Road Safety Unit, said that even though the officers handing out the tickets have not seen the violation, they can issue the ticket based on their partner’s information.
“Many people are still not buckling up and complying with the Motor Vehicle Act,” he said.
Another problem area that has been identified is pedestrian safety, not just driver behavior.
“If we see pedestrians doing something unsafe, we will speak with them as well,” said Mager.
Drivers are reminded to follow some very important key points: drive at a safe speed; don’t follow to closely; don’t run red or yellow lights; watch for and stop for pedestrians; never drink and drive; and always buckle up and ensure all passengers do the same.
The cost of violating several sections of the Motor Vehicle Act have also increased. As of Mon., May 14, seatbelt fines (failing to wear a seatbelt, allowing a passenger without a seatbelt etc,) increase from $138 to $167. Operating a vehicle with too many persons (more people than seatbelts) will get the driver a fine of $311.
RCMP members responded to 580 traffic incidents in 2006, up six per cent from the previous year. That number mostly comprised collisions, both minor and major, but includes miscellaneous traffic calls not covered as a moving or non-moving violation.
Also, 104 criminal code traffic charges were laid in 2006, up for 87 in 2005. The vast majority of these were for Impaired Driving or Refusal to Provide a Breath Sample, but they also included Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Dangerous Driving and Driving while Prohibited.
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