| S.T.E.P PROGRAM |
Starting November 1st, 2010 the Gananoque Police Service will be introducing the
Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), a new traffic safety initiative to help keep
our roads safe. STEP is a combined education and enforcement program designed to
reduce highway traffic offences. STEP has successfully reduced the number of fatal and
serious motor vehicle injuries across Canada and the United States.
Each month, three traffic safety priorities will be highlighted as part of Gananoque's
Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. We are asking the community of Gananoque to
help identify area's requiring enforcement.
Working in partnership with our community, residents will be able to help identify one of the
three monthly traffic priorities by submitting suggestions online to Cst. Peter Lorenz
(plorenz@gananoquepolice.com). ALL E-MAILS ARE CONFIDENTIAL
PLEASE do not email traffic complaints or emergencies. If you have an immediate
concern please call the police station 613-382-4422. E-MAILS ARE NOT MONITORED
FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
Other traffic education and enforcement priorities will coincide with the usual timing of
annual national and provincial campaigns that already attract a lot of attention in specific
months each year. As an example impaired driving in December and school bus safety in
September.
In 2009, the Gananoque Police Services Board conducted a community survey and
respondents identified traffic safety along with vandalism, drugs, youth issues, break enter
and theft as their top five most important policing issues facing the community of
Gananoque.
To kick off the STEP initiative during the month of November
the Gananoque Police Service will focus on two traffic safety priorities:
1. Occupant Restraints
Police will be checking for not only proper use of seat belts, but also checking
Child Occupant Restraints to ensure they are properly installed in the vehicle and
that the child is in the appropriate seat and position.
Unbelted occupants are one of the leading causes of death and serious injury in
motor vehicle collisions. In 2007, 35% of driver fatalities and 38% of passenger
fatalities were a result of not wearing seatbelts.
2. Ban on Cell Phones and Hand Held Electronic Devices
Violations include talking, texting or emailing on cell phones or PDAs while
behind the wheel. Cell phones may be used if the driver uses a hands free
device or pulls off the road. You cannot use a handheld cell phone while
stopped in traffic.
Laptop computers and entertainment devices such as DVD players and game
units are covered as well. The law prohibits viewing of any electronic screen
unrelated to the driving task such as laptops or DVD players while driving.
GPS units are exempted if they are mounted to a dashboard and iPods must be
connected to the auto’s speaker system.
“Through education, enforcement and by working together with our community to
address traffic safety, the women and men of the Gananoque Police Service will
continue to keep our roads safe for both drivers and pedestrians” says Chief Kai Liu.
Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), a new traffic safety initiative to help keep
our roads safe. STEP is a combined education and enforcement program designed to
reduce highway traffic offences. STEP has successfully reduced the number of fatal and
serious motor vehicle injuries across Canada and the United States.
Each month, three traffic safety priorities will be highlighted as part of Gananoque's
Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. We are asking the community of Gananoque to
help identify area's requiring enforcement.
Working in partnership with our community, residents will be able to help identify one of the
three monthly traffic priorities by submitting suggestions online to Cst. Peter Lorenz
(plorenz@gananoquepolice.com). ALL E-MAILS ARE CONFIDENTIAL
PLEASE do not email traffic complaints or emergencies. If you have an immediate
concern please call the police station 613-382-4422. E-MAILS ARE NOT MONITORED
FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
Other traffic education and enforcement priorities will coincide with the usual timing of
annual national and provincial campaigns that already attract a lot of attention in specific
months each year. As an example impaired driving in December and school bus safety in
September.
In 2009, the Gananoque Police Services Board conducted a community survey and
respondents identified traffic safety along with vandalism, drugs, youth issues, break enter
and theft as their top five most important policing issues facing the community of
Gananoque.
To kick off the STEP initiative during the month of November
the Gananoque Police Service will focus on two traffic safety priorities:
1. Occupant Restraints
Police will be checking for not only proper use of seat belts, but also checking
Child Occupant Restraints to ensure they are properly installed in the vehicle and
that the child is in the appropriate seat and position.
Unbelted occupants are one of the leading causes of death and serious injury in
motor vehicle collisions. In 2007, 35% of driver fatalities and 38% of passenger
fatalities were a result of not wearing seatbelts.
2. Ban on Cell Phones and Hand Held Electronic Devices
Violations include talking, texting or emailing on cell phones or PDAs while
behind the wheel. Cell phones may be used if the driver uses a hands free
device or pulls off the road. You cannot use a handheld cell phone while
stopped in traffic.
Laptop computers and entertainment devices such as DVD players and game
units are covered as well. The law prohibits viewing of any electronic screen
unrelated to the driving task such as laptops or DVD players while driving.
GPS units are exempted if they are mounted to a dashboard and iPods must be
connected to the auto’s speaker system.
“Through education, enforcement and by working together with our community to
address traffic safety, the women and men of the Gananoque Police Service will
continue to keep our roads safe for both drivers and pedestrians” says Chief Kai Liu.
| SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM |
