London police laid hundreds of traffic-related charges, seized 30 vehicles and arrested two people on impaired driving charges during a week-long road safety campaign aimed at curbing dangerous driving across the city. The enforcement initiative, which ran from July 26 to Aug. 1, combined speed enforcement operations with RIDE programs, police said. Staff Sgt. Michael Anderson of the London Police Service Road Safety Section said road safety is a shared responsibility. “Road safety is important to the London Police Service, and we all have a role to play,” Anderson said in a statement. “Drivers are encouraged to do their part by slowing down, staying alert and making safe choices to help keep our community safe.” During a five-day speed enforcement campaign from July 26 to July 30, officers issued 293 provincial offence notices, handed out 54 warnings and laid 14 criminal charges. Among the offences were 30 stunt-driving charges, all of which resulted in vehicle seizures. Police also issued 155 speed-related charges, 40 equipment-related charges, eight seatbelt charges and 16 charges related to cellphone use while driving. Another 44 charges were laid for various other offences. During the RIDE checkpoints across the city, police said officers checked 1,077 vehicles and administered 33 roadside alcohol screening demands. Eight roadside warnings were issued, resulting in seven-day licence suspensions, while two people were arrested and charged with impaired driving. Meanwhile, West Region OPP laid 1815 charges following 2107 traffic stops across the region during the Civic Holiday long weekend traffic campaign. Police also enforced Ontario’s Move Over law, which is designed to give emergency personnel the safe space they need to assist motorists and conduct other work on the roadside. Police said the campaign led to 856 speeding charges across the West Region, along with 178 seatbelt charges, 14 distracted driving charges, 45 impaired driving charges and 11 charges for failing to move over for emergency vehicles.
