The North Bay Police Service used its social media channels as a means to warn people to "drive safely and don't speed."
On Friday, Nov. 10, the NBPS traffic officer stopped a motorist travelling 50 kilometres per hour over the posted speed limit on Lakeshore Drive. Police say the vehicle was going 90 km/h in a posted 40 km/h zone.
The driver's licence has been suspended for 30 days and the vehicle was impounded for 14 days.
Following Tuesday's Police Board meeting, NBPS Deputy Chief Mike Daze told BayToday reporter Chris Dawson that North Bay traffic safety is becoming a community safety issue.
The traffic stop came in one of North Bay's newest community safety zones.
This past Friday, our Traffic Officer stopped a motorist who was travelling 90 km/h in a 40 km/h Community Safety Zone. The driver had their license suspended for 30 days and car impounded for 14. Keep others safe and keep your car and license -- drive safely and don't speed. pic.twitter.com/minuQzqi1e
— North Bay Police (@NorthBayPolice) November 15, 2023
In August, North Bay City Council approved the implementation of two new Community Safety Zones with permanent speed reductions, in the name of public safety.
The moves originated with requests from the public and North Bay Police Service to designate two such areas:
- Olive Street and High Street surrounding Cassellholme
- Lakeshore Drive surrounding Sunset Park Public School and the Steve Omischl Sports Complex
The speed limits dropped from 50 kilometres per hour to 40 km/hr. Additionally, any person convicted of specific offences described in the Highway Traffic Act is liable to increased fines if committed while in a Community Safety Zone.
The HTA provides the council of a municipality the authority to designate a part of a highway under its jurisdiction as a Community Safety Zone if council deems public safety is of special concern on that part of the highway. The Ontario Traffic Manual states, "A CSZ may be used for roadways near schools, daycare centres, playgrounds, parks, hospitals, senior citizen residences, or collision-prone areas."