Community Column by Don Butt (August 2015)

Town of Mono, ON (Don Butt) This month we have several things to talk about. I constantly read in the paper about the OPP stopping drivers for speeding, not always on Highways, and at terrific high speeds. Sometimes these are almost double the posted limit! What on earth is wrong with these drivers. Even in modern cars it is evident without looking at the speedometer that you are traveling fast, so the excuse that "we didn’t realize we were going that fast" doesn’t hold water! We know that speed kills and is especially bad in built-up areas. The famous car writer who died many years ago, Tom Cahill, used to say that speed doesn’t kill, bad drivers kill. I’m sorry Tom, but I don’t and never have, agreed with you on this. So, for goodness sake, watch the signs and your speedometer!!

As an additive to the above, did you ever realize that the faster you drive, the more gasoline your vehicle burns? Everyone complains about the high cost of fuel these days, so if it is a concern to you (as it seems to be for everyone) why not drive the speed limit and avoid those jack rabbit starts and save a lot of money? Makes sense doesn’t it? And save some ones life at the same time! That is a good deal if I ever heard it! The other thing to consider in excessive speed is “can you stop” . This is complicated to work out as weather, road condition, make of car, type of brakes, etc. but takes much longer than we imagine. And think of the wear on brakes. A complete brake job on modern cars can easily run to $15000 or more. You can extend this for along time by taking it easy on your brakes. Use some common sense please!

Safety Tip
Always check mirrors before decelerating . (This tip comes to you courtesy of Doug Annette and the Skid Control School at Oakville, ON 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
To report unsafe driving behaviour contact OPP Communications Centre:
*OPP (*677) on your Cell or
1-888-310-1122 on your Landline.
If you prefer a paper form, 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.

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.