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The avuncular Constable Smith is the media spokesperson for the Traffic Services division. He is a 23 year member of the force. He is an avid motorcylist, owning a Harley, has spent time at Mosport and Shannonville with the BMW club, and was an original member of the TPTS's Bicycle Units. When there's a major crash or injury, Smith will be there to inform the media. He has seen his share of death and destruction.
The new moving over for emergency vehicles law was discussed. I asked why this courtesy was not applied to others stopped, such as those changing tires. He said that you should not be changing tires on the road, and that you should stay in your car and take a tow instead. He said there is a standard GTA towing fee, but knew only that it was in the $150 range. If you don't establish a price beforehand, Smith says you could be paying $700. Metro police will allow you to wait on the Highway for the CAA.
If you are stopped for speeding, the officer does not have to show you the speed reading, as many people think. If asked, he must show you the certificate for the calibration of the machine marked with the calibration date. If the date is beyond the date on the device, the reading is invalid. When discussion turned to the "stunt racing" law, you could feel the tension in the room. Smith did not have too much to say about it. He did ask who in the room supported the law. No one raised their hands. He seemed surprised.
The major highlight of the evening was the breathalyzer demonstration. It's surprising to see how much breath is needed to get the thing to work. Only one fun-loving member blew over the limit ( that person was not driving ). Smith says that essentially 0.05 is the new .08. Between .05 and .079 gets you a 3 day licence suspension, your vehicle is seized for the same period and there is a $150 fee. It does not matter if there is someone else who can drive the car home, or if it is not your car. For a 2nd offence, it is 7 days, a 3rd offense, 30 days. If you are .08 and above, you are impaired. Smith says that if this occurs to you, your life as a driver will never be the same. It will cost you at least $10,000 in fines and car insurance. You can be impaired in other ways, and TPTS has experts who can tell if this is the case by looking into your eyes, or other means. The results of the breathalyzer may be affected by prescription drugs such as those taken with inhalers, so you may have to ask for a blood test.
It is easy to see that Smith loves his job. He says that he is allowed to do things that the rest of us can only dream about. All of that, and he relates that the money is good too.
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