Careless driving can be costly

Now in its sixth full week of operation, a blitz on drivers by the Laval police services is underway that that will last at least two more weeks.

Dubbed Impact 20-30 and headed up by Sergeant Yoland Nepveu in the traffic department, the operation is concentrated in the neighbourhoods of Laval-des-Rapides and Chomedey, which are known to the police as sectors 20 and 30.

“There was a similar operation around the same time last year too, ” said 22-year-veteran Constable Frank Di Genova, spokesman for Laval police services.

“So far, more than 1,500 fines have been issued for violations to the highway safety code ranging from speeding, expired licence plates, seat belts, cell phones, to tinted windows and more,” Di Genova said.

The accident investigations also found that most occurred between the hours of 11:00 am and 6 pm, so the teams of at least two officers and a squad car, to as many as three or four officers, a motorcycle and three cars are posted in strategic locations to pull over motorists between these hours.

“Another popular violation is the rolling stop,” he said. “Many think that slowing down and rolling through the stop sign is quite acceptable.”

Since the cell phone use was prohibited, the constable noted the police now see people dialing the phone in their lap while they are driving, which “if we catch them doing that, it’s an automatic fine.”

For not wearing a seat belt, Di Genova said the fine is “$80 or more and three demerit points.”

To determine window tinting, police use a special device that indicates the percentage. Tinting more than 30% is illegal.

“Many parents, even grandparents, try to park too close to the school causing traffic congestion and putting children at risk. Along these streets there are signs that indicate no parking during school hours, yet they continue to do it.”

He encouraged parents to “use common sense” when driving their children to school. “They should park further down the street, or maybe they should let them walk home on their own, even when it’s raining,” he added.

Two other common violations that occur around schools, he said, is ignoring a crossing guard who has the sign up, that fine is “at least $75,” and passing a school bus with its lights flashing, a $350 fine.

Photo: AngPolice/AngPolice 1.jpg

(Photo: Martin Alarie)