OPP Report
Highway Traffic Act changes mean stiffer penalties
1-888-310-1122

Caledon OPP officers responded to 13 personal property and two personal injury collisions during the week ending Oct. 1.

High Miler

of the Week

Important change to the Highway Traffic Act.

For many years, Caledon OPP has submitted the High Miler of the Week as an inclusion in its weekly release of news items. Big changes to the Highway Traffic Act will affect those highlighted in this item.

Section 172 and Regulation 455/07 of the Highway Traffic Act have been amended to impose stiffer penalties for those who engage in street racing, driving contests and driving stunts. The definition of a "stunt" includes driving at 50 kilometres per hour or more above the posted speed limit.

A police officer that has reasonable and probable grounds to believe an offence under Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act has been committed can:

* Suspend a driver's licence for seven days.

* Impound the involved vehicle at the owner's expense for seven days.

It is important to note that these penalties will take place at the roadside in the location of the traffic stop.

Upon conviction in court, the driver could face a fine of a minimum of $2,000 up to $10,000, with possible further court ordered licence suspensions.

This new law doesn't speak only to speed, motorists should be aware the changes apply to motorists driving in an aggressive manner. The definition of "race" includes:

* Driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway or in a manner that may endanger any person by, repeatedly changing lanes in close proximity to other vehicles so as to advance through the ordinary flow of traffic while driving at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed.

First charge under

the new law

Sunday, Sept. 30, at about 1:52 p.m., a Caledon OPP officer observed a motorcycle travelling at an extreme high rate of speed on Mayfield Road near Highway 410 in Caledon. The officer observed the motorcycle suddenly change lanes and accelerate well over 50 km-h more than the posted speed, passing several vehicles in the process. Russell Mulligan, 34, of Brampton, was charged under Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act. He received a seven-day driver's licence suspension and the motorcycle was impounded for seven days. Court date was set for Nov. 1.

Alcohol & Driving

Wednesday, Sept. 26 a traffic stop was conducted at Airport Road and Old Church Road following a traffic complaint received by police. The driver was subsequently arrested and charged with Drive Motor Vehicle-Over 80 mgs. Of Alcohol in 100 mls. of Blood. Joseph Campanelli, 34, of Caledon, will appear in court Nov. 1.

Thursday, Sept. 27, 24- year-old Gavin Singh of Scarborough was stopped on The Gore Road near Healey Road following a traffic complaint. He was subsequently charged with Drive Motor Vehicle-Over 80 mgs. Of Alcohol in 100 mls. of Blood and will appear in court Oct. 25.

Friday, Sept. 28, a traffic complaint led to a vehicle stop on King Street near Regional Road 50 in Bolton. The driver, 29-year-old Colin Crago of West Lorne, Ontario, was charged with Impaired Driving and Drive Motor Vehicle-Over 80 mgs. Of Alcohol in 100 mls. of Blood. Court date was set for Oct. 25.

Saturday, Sept. 29, a traffic stop on King Street near Bramalea Road resulted in charges for the driver. Nazzareno Capriotti, 72, of Caledon, was charged with Impaired Driving, Drive Motor Vehicle-Over 80 mgs. Of Alcohol in 100 mls. of Blood and Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle. He will appear in court Oct. 25.

Saturday, Sept. 29, an officer observed a vehicle stopped at the intersection of Mill Lane and Humber Station Road with the driver asleep behind the steering wheel. The driver was charged with Impaired Care and Control of a Motor Vehicle as well as Care and Control of a Motor Vehicle- Over 80 mgs. Of Alcohol in 100 mls. of Blood. Jason Burgsma, 27, of Caledon will appear in court Nov. 8.

Sunday, Sept. 30, 33-yearold Jason Ewert of Brampton was charged with Drive Motor Vehicle-Over 80 mgs. Of Alcohol in 100 mls. of Blood following a traffic stop on Highway 10 near Old School Road in Caledon. His court date was set for Nov. 1.

Break & Enter

Arrests made in commercial break and enters. During the night hours of Monday, Aug. 27, the glass front door of a Queen Street North business in Bolton was removed and the building entered. Cash was stolen from within. Sept. 25, the Caledon OPP Crime Unit arrested and charged two men in connection with this break and enter. Gordon Edwards, 27, of Toronto, and 25-year-old Jason Phillips of Toronto were both held for bail hearings charged with Break & Enter, Possession of Break-in Instruments and Disguise with Intent.

Drugs

Monday, Sept. 24, a vehicle stop on Albion-Vaughan Road near Queensgate Boulevard resulted in a charge for the driver. Adam Coughlin, 19, of Brampton, was charged with Possession for the Purpose-Marijuana. He will appear in court Oct. 29.

Theft

Sunday, Sept. 30, a television that was stored overnight in a vehicle parked on Archbury Circle in Bolton was missing the next morning.

Any information regarding the above investigations can be forwarded to Caledon OPP at 905-584-2241; Bolton office, Caledon OPP 905- 857-3304; or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222- TIPS.

Domestic Disputes

Caledon OPP officers responded to eight domestic disputes between Sept. 24 and 30. Charges were laid in Palgrave, Sept. 29.

Caledon OPP officers responded to five domestic disputes between Sept. 16 and 20. Charges were laid Sept. 16 in Alton; Sept. 20 in Bolton and Sept. 20 in Caledon East.

Caledon OPP officers responded to six domestic disputes between Sept. 10 and 15. A charge was laid in Caledon, Sept. 10.

Caledon OPP officers responded to six domestic disputes between Sept. 3 and 9. No charges were laid.

Caledon OPP officers responded to 11 domestic disputes between Aug. 27 and Sept. 2. Charges were laid Aug. 28, 29 in Caledon and Sept. 1 in Bolton.

During the week of Aug. 20-26, Caledon officers responded to five domestic family disputes resulting in one arrest.

OPP officers responded to seven domestic disputes between Aug. 13 and 17. Charges were laid in Caledon, Aug. 15.

OPP officers responded to five domestic disputes between Aug. 6 and Aug. 12. No charges were laid Aug. 6 in Bolton. Charges were laid Aug. 7, 8 and 12 in Caledon, and Aug. 12 in Bolton. Officers responded to seven family disputes between Aug. 7 and Aug. 12. No charges were laid Aug. 7 in Valleywood, Aug. 9 in Bolton (two incidences) and Caledon (two incidences), Aug. 10 and 12 in Bolton.