(ST.MARYS, ON) During two short periods on two separate days, a Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer conducted stop sign observations and enforcement at the intersection of Maxwell St. and Huron St. in St.Marys. This action was the result of complaints received from local residents who were concerned about motorists not obeying the stop signs.
On Tuesday May 06, 2014 between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., seven motorists were given a stop sign violation ticket.
On Friday May 09, 2014 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., ten motorists received a ticket for the same offence.
The officer who was parked in a fully marked OPP cruiser issued the offending motorist a ticket that read “disobey stop sign – fail to stopâ€Â. Aside from the $110 ticket, these motorists also accumulate three demerit points. Of the seventeen motorists, fifteen were local residents who live within a one block radius of the intersection.
The Highway Traffic Act states that, drivers approaching a stop sign at an intersection, shall stop their vehicle at a marked stop line or, if none, then immediately before entering the nearest crosswalk or, if none, then immediately before entering the intersection.
Coming to a complete stop and obeying stop signs is vitally important to the safety of all road users.