Back to driving school for Halton cops
By David Menzies for MSN Autos
When you hear that a police cruiser has been involved in a collision, the automatic assumption is that the crash was due to the aftermath of a high-speed pursuit.
But when it comes to the Oakville, Ont.-based Halton Regional Police Service, most of their cruiser collisions don’t occur due to some Bullitt-style cops-and-robbers chase. In fact, most accidents occur at low speed; and more than half of the collisions were preventable.
In fact, so many Halton police cruisers have been involved in exceedingly dumb (and easily avoidable) crashes that the force has actually instituted a mandatory 90-minute online driving course in an effort to curb collisions.
According to a report in the Toronto Star, in the first six months of this year, Halton police cars were involved in 70 accidents, at a cost of $158,780 in damage to the cruisers. Four cruisers were write-offs – which isn’t good news from a procurement-perspective considering Ford just wrapped up production of the Crown Vic last month.
Accidents are up 18% from the same period in 2010 and 23% over 2009. Forty-one of the 70 collisions were classified as preventable.
“I don’t know if embarrassment is the term,” noted Sgt. Dave Cross.
Other accidents were due to cruisers going too fast for the conditions, following too close to other vehicles, and making improper turns. You know – all those bad driving habits the cops are always warning the rest of us to not to engage in.
Here’s the really interesting part: Sgt. Cross said officers can be issued tickets for driving offences, although he didn’t know if any of the officers involved in the crashes were in fact issued tickets.
What do you want to bet the number of cops who received tickets due to their accidental ways rhymes with “hero”? Don’t you just love the inglorious double-standard?
In the meantime, heads up if you’re at the local mall and happen to notice a Halton cruiser with its reverse lights on...
Posted by: RJM | 2011-10-07 3:32:39 AM
Gee David. Can you make it any more obvious you don't like police? Yes, when officers are on the road for 12 hours at a time, the odds are higher they are going to make a mistake vs the hour or so you likely spend a day. They are also the ones out there in the worst weather when you are all snuggly at home. As for the mall, had it occurred to you that they may be investigating a theft of property from a store or a vehicle being stolen? Perhaps they are doing a patrol of the lot to deter thefts from or of cars. They may see something susicious and reverse and we all know how very careful all shoppers are in a lot and bam. They are actually human. And yes, officers have been issued tickets while on duty for traffic offenses, especially if involved in a collision. Yes, journalism at it's best. Perhaps do a bit more research prior to making your snide and cynical comments. If your intent was to be cute and clever, you failed miserably. And no, I am not affiliated with Halton Police.
Posted by: Halton Police Service are Human Beings, Like the Rest of Us | 2011-10-07 8:31:25 AM
I live in Halton Region. There are many contributing factors to increased incidents of low speed incidents. Our area has grown and built up tremendously over the past number of years. When an officer is responding to a call and there is an element of uncertainty, certainly incidents can happen. Also, the Halton Region Police are facing the same challenges of multi-tasking that all of us face in our modern lives. The Halton Region Police service is doing exactly what should be done, which is helping their officers keep their driving skills sharp. In fact you can do the same, but because you aren't a Police Officer, you can make fun of them. Question for you : Do you park in your driveway "front in" or do you "back in" when you get home. I always back in, because the incidence of low speed accidents is many times lower if you just adopt this one simple habit. Also, if you need to shovel out the snow, or need a boost or a tow, your vehicle is facing the right way.
If you look at Motor Vehicle incident statistics and large amount of incidents happen within 5 kms of your home. This is a reflection that we are distracted or are lulled into a false sense of security in familiar surroundings and aren't looking for unexpected hazards. Cars are getting safer from a crash perspective, but Human Beings aren't getting any less precious, so let's drive carefully.
Posted by: driving school worcester | 2011-10-20 10:26:31 PM
When you have satisfied all the necessary requirements with your learners permit, the next thing will be booking for your driving lessons or getting an instructor for that. At this stage, you should be very careful.
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