Huron OPP report teen brothers face racing charges; and advise of school zone safety

TEEN BROTHERS FACE RACING CHARGES

(NORTH HURON & ASHFIELD-COLBORNE-WAWANOSH, ON) - Two racing charges in just over an hour certainly isn't unheard of but when it's two brothers charged back-to-back, that very well could be a first.

Aug. 23 at 8:35 p.m., a Huron County OPP officer spotted a Chevrolet Silverado towing a travel trailer heading eastbound on Amberley Road at a high rate of speed. A measurement was taken with a RADAR device and the speed of the vehicle was confirmed to be in excess of 50 km/h over the posted 80 km/h speed limit. 
 
The truck was stopped and the driver was charged. Lucas O'ROURKE, 16, of West Perth was charged with Race a Motor Vehicle. 
 
The driver ended up calling his brother for a ride, and just over an hour later, the same officer spotted the brother's vehicle racing down the highway.
 
This time, a Chevrolet Silverado was observed travelling northbound on Donnybrook Line at a speed in excess of 50 km/h over the posted 90 km/h speed limit. A traffic stop was completed and the driver was charged with Racing.
 
18-year-old John O'ROURKE, also of West Perth, was charged with Race a Motor Vehicle. It will be a family affair at Provincial Offences Act Court in Goderich, Oct. 3. Both drivers had their licences suspended for seven days and their vehicles were impounded for a week.

*THESE CHARGES HAVE YET TO BE PROVEN IN COURT*
 

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SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY

(HURON COUNTY, ON) - School is back in session for thousands of local students and the Huron County OPP is pleased to report the first day of school was accident-free throughout the county. 

Officers noticed motorists in the school zones were clearly driving with extra care and caution. Students were also observed to be following the rules of the road.
    
We ask everyone to be mindful of school zones, crosswalks and bus pick-up routes. Take extra caution in these areas, slow down, obey traffic control devices, expect the unexpected, and be prepared for the occasional delay. 

The Huron County OPP will be resuming enhanced patrols around the various school zones in an effort to ensure everyone is following the rules of the road and staying safe.

Parents and caregivers of school-aged children are encouraged to discuss the following safe bike-riding and walking rules with their children:
 

• Children should always walk on sidewalks, whenever available.
• Children should use the services of the crossing guard, whenever available, and cross at the intersection.
• Cyclists under age 18 must wear an approved helmet.
• Always look both ways before crossing a roadway and remember to walk, not run across the roadway.
• Children need to watch for turning vehicles before crossing a roadway.
• Children should avoid listening to music or using their mobile devices when cycling or walking on the roadway.
• Where possible, children should use the "buddy system."

Motorists need to drive with particular care and attention in and around school zones. Children will make mistakes so drive cautiously and anticipate them. Here are some back-to-school safety reminders for all drivers:
 

• Be aware and respect school-zone signage.
• Always reduce your speed in school zones.
• Children will make mistakes - be prepared to stop at all times.
• Be patient and wait for children to complete their crossing before proceeding.
• Share the roadway with cyclists and pedestrians at all times. By law you must leave a one-metre berth when passing a cyclist.
• Be prepared to stop for stopped school busses. If the overhead flashing signal lights are activated and the Stop arm is out, drivers shall come to a stop. 
• Don't drive distracted, always leave the phone alone.

Together, we can all make a positive difference in keeping our roadways safe and collision-free by following the rules of the road and by taking extra care and caution around school zones. 

The Huron County OPP wishes all students a safe and productive 2017-18 school year.