Hudson’s Hope RCMP responded to 30 calls for service between Feb. 22 and March 21.
Sixty-eight written violations and warning tickets were issued to drivers between the above dates with 34 of those violations being speeding in the school zone along Beattie Drive. Highway and road safety continues to be a big focus for the Hudson’s Hope RCMP with the school zone along Beattie Drive and the various construction zones along Hwy 29 being the chief focus for traffic enforcement at this time.
Please make note of the numerous construction sites along Hwy 29 toward Fort St. John. Due to the increase of work sites along the highway, there is a large fluctuation between the speed zones for each site. Police will be monitoring these zones as they are a posted construction site and fines will range from $196 to $253 for speeding violations within a marked construction zone.
On Feb. 28, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP received a report of a break and enter plus theft from a worksite along the Kobes Creek forest service road. Several items including a red 2020 Polaris side by side and thousands of dollars’ worth of tools had been stolen from within the building. Police are currently working several leads on this file and the investigation currently remains on-going.
On March 4, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP were conducting speed enforcement in the school zone along Beattie Drive when a commercial truck, loaded with a large over-sized structure, was observed travelling through the zone and at one point, the load caught an over-hanging commercial line, resulting in the line snapping. This truck was stopped and upon CVSE attending and conducting an inspection, it was found that the load was not within the regulations according to their transport permits resulting in the driver and the company being issued a fine.
On March 5, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP were advised to a commercial truck that had been travelling along Beattie Drive which was observed pulling down yet another over-hanging commercial line due to the height of the load being transported. Police located and stopped the truck, which was confirmed to be from the same company from that of the incident the day prior. CVSE attended and upon an inspection being conducted, it was found that the load met the legal height restrictions, however it was believed that due to the over-height truck passing through the day prior, several of the commercial lines along Beattie Drive may had been stretched. Associated companies were notified to have all lines repaired.
On March 18, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP was conducting traffic enforcement along Beattie Drive with police monitoring motorists for distracted driving violations. Several drivers were stopped and issued fines for the use of an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. This violation comes with a fine of $368 and 4 points to your licence.
As a note, distracted driving is not just the use of a cellular device but can encompass anything that takes your attention away from driving. The use of a cell phone for the purpose of the GPS feature is still defined as “Use an Electronic Device while Driving”, though this is something that police find drivers conducting often. We all play a part in making our roads safe, so when you’re behind the wheel, we ask that the focus be on the road.
Also, do not tape your activated cellular phone to your steering wheel and call it “Hands Free”, as one still texts and uses said cellular device. Daily fact: When your cellphone screen dips left or right while making turns after it’s taped to the steering wheel of your vehicle, your head will follow. True story!
Over the past several months, the Hudson’s Hope RCMP have been receiving several complaints for possible COVID-19 regulation violations for both individuals and local businesses. The RCMP have been working alongside the other Provincial agencies who also govern and enforce the regulations and fines regarding all COVID-19 related matters within the province. With each complaint received, a detailed investigation is completed and those individuals and business have been issued warnings and or fines with on-going monitoring by Provincial agencies.
Anyone with information regarding current or past investigations can contact the Hudson’s Hope RCMP directly at 250-783-5241 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Visit http://crimestoppersnebc.ca for advice on submitting tips online and to browse the areas “Most Wanted” page.
This information was provided by Hudson's Hope RCMP. Email your community crime news and story tips to reporter Tom Summer at tsummer@ahnfsj.ca.
