(HURON COUNTY, ON) - Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has a message for those that continue to drive at extremely high speeds on our public roadways - "Highways are not raceways, If you choose to drive at excessive speeds be prepared for stiff consequences."
This past weekend was a busy one for OPP officers on traffic patrol as they suspended five licences and impounded five vehicles for Stunt Driving violations.
The action kicked off on Friday, May 3rd at approximately 5:48 p.m. when an officer spotted a pickup truck travelling southbound on Base Line near Maitland Block Road at a high rate of speed. A speed measurement was taken and the RADAR confirmed the speeding truck at a rate of speed in excess of 130 km/h in a posted 80km/h zone. Jake FISHER, 22 years of age from Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh has been charged with Racing. He will have to attend court on June 18, 2019 to answer to his charge.
Just over an hour later the same OPP officer was patrolling eastbound on Amberley Road east of Whitechurch when he caught two vehicles travelling westbound well over the 90 km/h zone speed limit.
Nelson AMARAL, 49 years of age, from Kitchener was driving a motorcycle at a speed in excess of 160 km/h in a posted 90 km/h zone. He was subsequently charged with Racing; he will have to attend court on June 18, 2019 to answer to his charge.
Following the motorcycle was a small compact car that was observed travelling at a speed in excess of 140 km/h in a posted 90 km/h zone. The officer was able to stop this car as well and the driver was charged. Zachary VANVEEN, 22 years of age, from Waterloo has been charged with Racing, he will have to attend court on June 18, 2019 to answer to his charge.
On Saturday, May 4th around 5:37 p.m. a Huron County OPP officer observed the driver of a sports car doing a full out "brake stand / burn out" on the northbound lane of Bluewater Veteran's Highway just south of Goderich. The driver of the vehicle was ultimately charged with "Perform a Stunt" and his vehicle was impounded and his licence was seized for seven days. Mark BONDI, 27 years of age from Auburn will have to attend court on June 4, 2019 to answer to his charge.
Lastly, on Sunday May 5th, at approximately 7:16 p.m. a Huron OPP officer observed a small car travelling westbound on Dashwood Road at a high rate of speed. A RADAR device was used to measure the speed of the vehicle and the speed registered at a speed in excess of 150 km/h in the posted 90 km/h zone. Kyra TO, 18 years of age from London was charged with Stunt Driving - Excessive Speed. She will have to attend court at a later date this spring. Her licence has been suspended for seven days and her vehicle was impounded.
"There are significant risks when you drive at these dangerously high speeds. Please slow down and give yourself a chance should something unexpected happen. This isn't a video game where you get unlimited plays. If you choose to place yourself and every other user of the road at risk be prepared for the consequences when you get pulled over. There is absolutely zero tolerance for driving at race track speeds on our highways."
- Acting Huron OPP Inspector/Detachment Commander, Wendy BURROW
UNDERSTAND THE RISKS
The risk of a fatality or serious injury is almost five times greater for vehicles crashing at 50 km/h or more above the posted limit on a highway with a posted limit of 100 km/h.
KNOW THE PENALTIES
An immediate seven-day licence suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment at roadside.
Fines from $2,000 to $10,000
Courts can impose a driver licence suspension of up to 10 years for a second conviction within 10 years
The accumulation of six demerit points, a maximum licence suspension of two years for a first conviction and a maximum six months in jail.
Increased insurance premiums