Community Column by Don Butt (October 2017)

Town of Mono, ON (Don Butt) Here it is coming into fall and we should be thinking of what we call "winter maintenance" for our vehicles. A good service man will do a multi-point inspection of your vehicle, make sure liquid levels are up, check antifreeze, tires, etc. It’s a bit too early for snow tires, but change before the first snow. Also it is good practice to carry an emergency kit (blanket, first aid kit, flashlight, pliers and screwdrivers, can of compressed air or 12-volt pump, etc)  plus at all seasons, a fire extinguisher and know how to use it !( your local fire dept. can do this training). A large sign with "call Police" on it is also a good idea.


A few changes have been made to the driving laws such as drivers 21  or younger caught with any alcohol in their system will receive an immediate 24 hr. roadside suspension of their license, and if convicted, a $500 fine and a 30-day license suspension. Think about it!!
Drivers caught talking, texting, typing, dialing or e-mailing on a hand held phone or other hand held entertainment device are subject to a $500 fine.

Drive Clean - On a lighter note the fee for light duty vehicles and cars more than 7 years old has been eliminated. Also, the fee for repairs no longer includes diagnostic and monitor setting fees are no longer part of the limit set.

Now for one of our common gripes about drivers. When coming out of a driveway, side street or laneway, why do you look, see us coming, and then pull out in front of us, giving me a scare which hasn’t come to a heart attack yet? (the operative word being "yet")

Safety Tip
Do a circle check before getting  into your car.(this tip comes to you courtesy of 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
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; contact him here.