NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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A heightened police presence was evident in the Town of Wasaga Beach and surrounding areas on Friday, Sept. 23, into the overnight hours, with officers from the Huronia West detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patrolling for Highway Traffic Act (HTA) and Criminal Code driving offences to ensure community safety.
With support from members of various OPP detachments and specialty teams across the province, OPP Aviation, Ministry of Transportation enforcement officers, and members from York Regional Police Service, South Simcoe Police Service and Barrie Police Service, officers responded to 39 calls for service and investigated four vehicle collisions.
Numerous Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) programs were also conducted with over 180 drivers checked for signs of impairment. Officers issued 136 provincial offences notices for violations relating to HTA, Environmental Protection Act and Liquor Licence Control Act offences. Numerous motorists were also investigated and charged for speed, vehicle exhaust systems and equipment-related offences.
A 28-year-old driver from Maple was stopped travelling 131 km/h in an 80km/h zone on Highway 26 at Rainbow Valley Road in Clearview Township around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 23. Other issues included bald rear tires, improper muffler, expired plates, no front plate and unnecessary noise. Huronia West OPP charged the driver accordingly and issued an automatic roadside 30-day licence suspension, 14-day vehicle impound and a court date.
For more information on the consequences of speeding and aggressive driving, visit www.ontario.ca/page/speeding-and-aggressive-driving.
Officers on patrol stopped a vehicle for speeding on Dunkerron Avenue in Wasaga Beach, shortly before 7 p.m. on Sept. 23. As a result of the investigation, Paul Spenceley, 25 years of age, from Barrie, was criminally charged with operation while impaired (blood-alcohol concentration 80-plus).
The accused was released on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Oct. 11 and faces a 90-day driver’s licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment as per the Ministry of Transportation administrative driver’s license suspension program.
Educating the public about safe driving practices with our community safety partners is a priority. If you see a possible impaired driver, please make the life-saving call and dial 911.
Members of the public are reminded to respect our communities and not jeopardize the safety of our citizens or our neighbourhoods with risky, illegal and dangerous actions. Anyone who witnesses unsafe driving or unlawful activity is asked to call the Huronia West OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 911 in an emergency.
A video with a message to the community from Huronia West OPP detachment commander Insp. Leah Gilfoy has been shared on OPP Central Region socials: twitter.com/OPP_CR/status/1573771952900169735, facebook.com/OPPCentralRegion/videos/477975707547486.
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