Zach LarkinsWAKING UP
Before you accuse me of being in lock-step with GWB, this has nothing to do with him. Rather, it is a provincial matter and we are indeed learning from our American neighbours.
Over in the US of A, Canadian drivers are made to pay any traffic fines on the spot or spend the night in lock-up awaiting a hearing in the courts. This doesn't happen in all 50 states, but it does in enough to make Canucks wary of speeding or running red lights. I know whereof I speak on this as I got my VISA card maxed in Ohio for going 10 MPH over the limit.
Over here, we issue tickets, trusting the Americans to actually come back and fight the charge or send the cheque in the mail. Silly us, we actually think they will do one or the other. This thinking has led us into an uncollectible debt of some $3.6 million. Finally someone woke up and thought that what's good for the Americans is good for us too.
During its annual general meeting on the weekend, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, which represents 57,000 businesses, adopted a resolution from its Chatham branch recommending changes to the Highway Traffic Act. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce will now lobby the province to put a mechanism into the act allowing officers to collect fines from non-residents at the time of their infractions. And it's about time, too.
Back in the day, I was on my way to work one night and stopped at a red light. I was in a sports car in the right hand lane and beside me, on the left, was a Checker cab. (Remember the Checker's? God they were big.) Naturally I couldn't see around him, but I wasn't worried about him because the cross street was a one way travelling from my right to left. The light turned green and I proceeded when I was hit from the left by an American. He was going the wrong way on a one way street and had run a red light to boot. Damage to my car was about $1200.00 while he sustained minimal damages. Sitting in the police car after giving my statement, I asked the cop if they were going to charge the other driver. No, they said, he'll just head back across the border and forget about the whole thing. I said I'd probably be in jail already if I did what he had and the cop agreed.
So I welcome this plan of action by the OCC. When I drive down the major highways here I usually speed, about 15 klicks above the posted limit. This really isn't a big deal as even the cops will tell you the speed limits are too low. They were lowered in the days of gas rationing, back in the ‘70's and do not reflect the truth of today. The States have already raised their speed limits to reflect the changes between then and now. But anyway, as fast as I might be going, I am constantly passed by Americans going 30 or 40 klicks above the limit.
They know they can do this and get away with it, so they take advantage of it. It's nice to see they will finally be held accountable. And if they can't pay on the spot, they should spend some time in jail. Just like they do to us over there.
Sources: Trevor Wilhelm Get Tough On US Scofflaws Windsor Star
Over in the US of A, Canadian drivers are made to pay any traffic fines on the spot or spend the night in lock-up awaiting a hearing in the courts. This doesn't happen in all 50 states, but it does in enough to make Canucks wary of speeding or running red lights. I know whereof I speak on this as I got my VISA card maxed in Ohio for going 10 MPH over the limit.
Over here, we issue tickets, trusting the Americans to actually come back and fight the charge or send the cheque in the mail. Silly us, we actually think they will do one or the other. This thinking has led us into an uncollectible debt of some $3.6 million. Finally someone woke up and thought that what's good for the Americans is good for us too.
During its annual general meeting on the weekend, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, which represents 57,000 businesses, adopted a resolution from its Chatham branch recommending changes to the Highway Traffic Act. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce will now lobby the province to put a mechanism into the act allowing officers to collect fines from non-residents at the time of their infractions. And it's about time, too.
Back in the day, I was on my way to work one night and stopped at a red light. I was in a sports car in the right hand lane and beside me, on the left, was a Checker cab. (Remember the Checker's? God they were big.) Naturally I couldn't see around him, but I wasn't worried about him because the cross street was a one way travelling from my right to left. The light turned green and I proceeded when I was hit from the left by an American. He was going the wrong way on a one way street and had run a red light to boot. Damage to my car was about $1200.00 while he sustained minimal damages. Sitting in the police car after giving my statement, I asked the cop if they were going to charge the other driver. No, they said, he'll just head back across the border and forget about the whole thing. I said I'd probably be in jail already if I did what he had and the cop agreed.
So I welcome this plan of action by the OCC. When I drive down the major highways here I usually speed, about 15 klicks above the posted limit. This really isn't a big deal as even the cops will tell you the speed limits are too low. They were lowered in the days of gas rationing, back in the ‘70's and do not reflect the truth of today. The States have already raised their speed limits to reflect the changes between then and now. But anyway, as fast as I might be going, I am constantly passed by Americans going 30 or 40 klicks above the limit.
They know they can do this and get away with it, so they take advantage of it. It's nice to see they will finally be held accountable. And if they can't pay on the spot, they should spend some time in jail. Just like they do to us over there.
Sources: Trevor Wilhelm Get Tough On US Scofflaws Windsor Star
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
I think they sell drivers' licenses on the backs of matchbooks down here in south Florida..
youranter
Opinions
opinionatedranter
Tales From The Green Lantern