Community Column by Don Butt (Sept. 2013)

(Town of Mono, ON) Some things we have talked about before will bear repeating. When passing through a construction area where men are working , you must slow down and be very vigilant . Also when passing any emergency vehicle at the side of the road, you must pull to the left as far as you can and proceed slowly. If the road has multiple lanes you must pull into the next lane if it is safe to do so, and proceed slowly. The reason for this, should you need to ask, is that many construction workers and emergency workers are killed or injured every year by passing motorists. If you wonder why police close sections of Highway after a vehicle crash, the same reason applies. They have to make many measurements and fill in a report. Closure of roads is to make their job safer.


This is the time of year when schools are open again, with many new students going to school for the first time. Obey the reduced speed limits at schools (and playgrounds) and give the kids a chance. Watch for the big yellow buses and stop when they load or unload passengers. Some smaller buses are white now (usually for disabled kids). Watch for these. In the reduced speed zones, fines are doubled and the fine for passing an unloading school bus (lights flashing) are very high. Remember that all children do not live on the same side of the road so watch for them crossing over.

Safety Tip
Target your vision well up the road. Take in the traffic scene well in advance so you can plan your response to changing  conditions. (This tip comes to you from Doug Annette and the Skid Control School at Oakville, Ont. www.skidcontrolschool.com)

Phone Nos. – (a list of valuable numbers to have)
For all emergencies - 911
To report non emergency incidents or bad drivers -1-800-310-1122
Or by cell phone only *677

Road Watch
Our forms for reporting dangerous and aggressive drivers are now attached to our website.If you prefer a paper form or do not have a computer, our forms are available at Mono Plaza and OPP at Primrose. Please use them, the life you may save could be your own or a loved one. Or use the cell number to call direct - *677.

Don Butt is currently the Public Relations and Media Contact for the Mono Community Policing Committee. If you would like more information on anything covered in Don’s Column or would like to see a topic of public interest or safety covered; post a comment below.