Topic: The OPP strikes again: Does this make the community safer?

[rrocket]

http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=35149

OPP NEWS RELEASE

************************
POITRAS TOWNSHIP, ON – (October 17) - An officer from the Highway Safety Division, North Bay, seized a fire truck yesterday afternoon on Highway 63 as a result of the Street Racing Legislation.

On October 16th, 2008, at approximately 6:30 pm, the officer was travelling on Highway 63 when he observed a vehicle overtake another vehicle near the crest of a hill.

The vehicle was travelling in excess of 70 km/h of the posted speed limit.

The driver, a fireman, was operating a Fire Department Emergency/Rescue Response vehicle, GMC Yukon.

He was not responding to an emergency call at the time.

As a result of his actions, John P. DANDY, 31 years old of Kipawa, Quebec, was charged under the Street Racing Legislation, s.172 and with Drive left of center – approaching crest of grade, s. 149 of the Highway Traffic Act.

His driver's licence was seized and suspended for seven days as well as the Fire Department Emergency/Rescue Response vehicle was towed and also seized for seven days.


Ok...so how is the community safer now that a Fire Rescue vehicle is out of use for the community?  I don't get it...

[articsteve]

Obviously the guy was passing.

How is this street racing.    The new law is such a BAD joke.  The previous law dealt with this particular situation just fine.  How did Ontario turn into the worst North American jurisdiction to drive in.  Who would have ever thought. 

SATAN is in the building

[tenpenny]

He was NOT responding to an emergency, and was driving MORE than 70 km/h above the limit.

[articsteve]

Well it's interesting to note that the OPP failed to mention the posted speed limit so in all likelihood it's 49.7 mph which in the wilderness of North Bay is a screaming joke.  One is just set up for a kill.

So add to that another 42 mph and you get a whopping total of 92 mph.  Whipee I O.  I hit that routinely for a brief second or to when I pass in my S2.

Man, just how old are you? 

[dr_spock]

I think it makes it safer for the wild life crossing the road with one less speeding fire truck. 

Sounded like fire truck dude was trying to pass another vehicle going up a hill.  Could be a nasty surprise for someone coming over the hill from the other direction if he didn't completed the pass. 

[dougjp]

Well maybe the community isn't safer, however there are decent odds it will contribute to the local economy. Buildings will burn down unimpeded, resulting in lots of new construction jobs... 

[safristi]

I say farm out the firefighting to a slow boat from China...................... ........mmmm crispy DUCK............