Police laid more than 300 charges, and took 17 vehicles out of service, during a Dawson Road traffic blitz last week.
Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Traffic Unit, along with members of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario and Ontario Provincial Police, conducted a targeted traffic enforcement project in the Highway 11/17 and Dawson Road area between July 24 and 26.
The project focused on both commercial and passenger vehicles.
The project led to 324 charges being laid, with 17 vehicles being taken out of service. Many offences related to speeding, including one stunt-driving charge for a motorist travelling 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. Other motorists faced fines for unsafe vehicles, emissions, equipment and document offences, and insecure loads.
On Day 3 of the project, members utilized drones to target commercial motor vehicles following other vehicles too closely. This method has been used before and continues to be an efficient way of enforcing commercial vehicles following too closely and led to 30 charges of Motor Vehicle Following Too Close.
Businesses and residents who live in or travel through this area of Dawson Road have often highlighted their significant safety concerns due to problematic driving behaviours from passenger and commercial vehicle motorists.
In response to these ongoing safety concerns, the Thunder Bay Police Service will continue to conduct focused traffic enforcement in the area. This may come in the form of future multi-unit and multi-agency projects, or day-to-day patrols.
The Thunder Bay Police Service would like to thank all motorists who continue to drive with care, caution, sober and free of distractions.