Working with traffic services
Posted by Rita Gayle
Sheila introduced guest speaker Shane Stevenson, Sergeant (4179)
Toronto Police Traffic Services. Shane has been with the Toronto Police
Dept. for 20 years, has worked in several units, currently in traffic
services. Shane deals with anything on the highway or city, any serious
collisions.Impaired driving is the leading cause of death of 15 to 19 year olds and over 50% trauma that adults receive is as a result of motor vehicle accidents. In Canada there are 200 people seriously injured and 4 people killed every day due to impaired driving. Anyone can be affected by motor vehicle collision due to distraction, drinking, speed, and no s/b.
Distraction – that which distracts, divides attention or prevents concentration; Syn. madness, lunacy, insanity, crazy.
Distracted Driving – anything that takes your eyes off the road, something that takes your mind off the road that causes you to take your hands off the wheel.
Top Distractions:
- Cell Phone
- Reaching for moving object inside or looking at an object or event outside
- Reading
- Applying makeup
Statistics prove that if you use cell phones, hand held or hands off, you are four times more likely to be involved in a collision.
Impaired Driving - In Canada you can be impaired by alcohol or drugs. For the purpose of impaired driving in Canada, a drug is defined as any substance which when taken into the human body can impair the ability of the person to operate a vehicle safely.
Zero tolerance:
Young drivers, anyone under 22 years
Novice drivers, regardless of age
Penalties:
All penalties are the same for impaired driving by drugs or alcohol.
Fines:
Incarceration
License suspension
Vehicle impounds
Alcohol counseling/treatment
Other considerations:
Insurance rates
Lawyer’s fees
Criminal record
When you get behind the wheel, focus on what you are doing and everything else can wait.
Jim Inglis thanked Shane for a very interesting and timely speech, with the Christmas season in full swing. We all have to be careful, take a taxi if in doubt.
- Cell Phone
- Reaching for moving object inside or looking at an object or event outside
- Reading
- Applying makeup
Statistics prove that if you use cell phones, hand held or hands off, you are four times more likely to be involved in a collision.
Impaired Driving - In Canada you can be impaired by alcohol or drugs. For the purpose of impaired driving in Canada, a drug is defined as any substance which when taken into the human body can impair the ability of the person to operate a vehicle safely.
Zero tolerance:
Young drivers, anyone under 22 years
Novice drivers, regardless of age
Penalties:
All penalties are the same for impaired driving by drugs or alcohol.
Fines:
Incarceration
License suspension
Vehicle impounds
Alcohol counseling/treatment
Other considerations:
Insurance rates
Lawyer’s fees
Criminal record
When you get behind the wheel, focus on what you are doing and everything else can wait.
Jim Inglis thanked Shane for a very interesting and timely speech, with the Christmas season in full swing. We all have to be careful, take a taxi if in doubt.