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Fantino Scraps Long Weekend Traffic Blitzes (from Citynews.com)
Friday January 19, 2007
If you've watched the news on a long weekend in this province you've undoubtedly seen OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley offering amusing anecdotes about some of the worst vehicles and drivers on our roads.
But those long weekend roadside traffic blitzes - and by extension Woolley's colourful commentary - may soon be a thing of the past.
Julian Fantino, the force's no-nonsense new commissioner, says he's planning to scrap the blitzes and focus on pursuing dangerous drivers every day.
"There's nothing funny about unsafe motor vehicles or what people do out there to put the public in danger," the former Toronto Police chief said Thursday.
Fantino said he doesn't want to hear any more "humorous stories about those who compromise public safety."
"I think it trivializes the carnage and the reality of the danger that's out there."
His decision, which was written in an open letter on the force's website, comes as a surprise to many, including the provincial government.
Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield feels the blitzes have been successful in that they've raised awareness for traffic safety and the idea that if you are driving recklessly you'll get caught.
"The public awareness and education has been phenomenal," Cansfield said. "We're really, really supportive of the blitzes. We know they work and are very effective."
She said her office wasn't told of Fantino's decision.
"The whole idea is prevention," she said. "I mean, you can give somebody a ticket, but if they're dead, it's irrelevant."
The OPP commissioner insists his decision is not a slap at the media-friendly officer.
"It's not about Sgt. Woolley," said Fantino.
"It's about the OPP's vision going forward, and I'm not criticizing anything that's happened in the past. I'm just telling you the way it's going to be in the future."
Woolley insists he's not taking the change as a slap at his media appearances, and claims to be grateful he'll be able to concentrate solely on making the roads safer.
But many liked his offbeat remarks and insist it gets the right message across.
"The commissioner is probably better informed now, that it's not all about an individual or the OPP," said Brian Patterson of the Ontario Safety League, which also participates in the blitzes.
"I'm a bit of a fan of the quirky comments of the safety blitz weekends. We're fans of Sgt. Woolley's involvement.
"You can't travel on a long weekend in Ontario without hearing a number of safety messages that are a direct result of coordinating those long weekend blitzes."
Patterson said if the blitzes were going to be scrapped he hoped authorities would still be able to relay the message of being safe on the streets.
Cam Classics
Here are just some of Woolley's recent comments on the riles of the road.
"That was a shiny red Mustang convertible, turned out to be a rental car. The guy said his driving record is so bad he can't afford insurance on his own car so he just rents something."
Canada Day 2006
"The song's called 'Easy come, easy go'. Kind of like his licence, I think."
On a driver doing 190 km/h on the highway, Canada Day weekend, 2006
"The driver told the officers he has such a terrible driving record, it's cheaper to rent a car than pay for insurance if he owned his own car. He's licensed right now, but I doubt it will stay that way for long, because he was charged criminally with dangerous driving."
Canada Day 2006
"Some guy from Toronto comes speeding into town on Highway 12, a map across the steering wheel, text messaging on the Blackberry, talking on the cell phone, smoking a cigarette while making unsafe lane changes, speeding past a police car."
Victoria Day 2006
"One of the worst drivers ... was a 25-year-old Newmarket man on his yellow Suzuki motorcycle, doing 160 kilometres an hour, zipping in between other traffic, with a police car right behind him. Then he pops a wheelie for half a kilometre. So he's been charged with dangerous driving."
Victoria Day 2006
"A Fred Flintsone car."
Every blitz, after finding cars with rusted holes in the floorboards.
*********************************************************
I have to admit I'm not sure how to take this new strategy. Sober messages can easily get tuned out. Humour can get important messages across, such as dangerous driving.
Still, I have to wonder if this wasn't a move for Fantino to get more air time versus Woolley...
Friday January 19, 2007
If you've watched the news on a long weekend in this province you've undoubtedly seen OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley offering amusing anecdotes about some of the worst vehicles and drivers on our roads.
But those long weekend roadside traffic blitzes - and by extension Woolley's colourful commentary - may soon be a thing of the past.
Julian Fantino, the force's no-nonsense new commissioner, says he's planning to scrap the blitzes and focus on pursuing dangerous drivers every day.
"There's nothing funny about unsafe motor vehicles or what people do out there to put the public in danger," the former Toronto Police chief said Thursday.
Fantino said he doesn't want to hear any more "humorous stories about those who compromise public safety."
"I think it trivializes the carnage and the reality of the danger that's out there."
His decision, which was written in an open letter on the force's website, comes as a surprise to many, including the provincial government.
Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield feels the blitzes have been successful in that they've raised awareness for traffic safety and the idea that if you are driving recklessly you'll get caught.
"The public awareness and education has been phenomenal," Cansfield said. "We're really, really supportive of the blitzes. We know they work and are very effective."
She said her office wasn't told of Fantino's decision.
"The whole idea is prevention," she said. "I mean, you can give somebody a ticket, but if they're dead, it's irrelevant."
The OPP commissioner insists his decision is not a slap at the media-friendly officer.
"It's not about Sgt. Woolley," said Fantino.
"It's about the OPP's vision going forward, and I'm not criticizing anything that's happened in the past. I'm just telling you the way it's going to be in the future."
Woolley insists he's not taking the change as a slap at his media appearances, and claims to be grateful he'll be able to concentrate solely on making the roads safer.
But many liked his offbeat remarks and insist it gets the right message across.
"The commissioner is probably better informed now, that it's not all about an individual or the OPP," said Brian Patterson of the Ontario Safety League, which also participates in the blitzes.
"I'm a bit of a fan of the quirky comments of the safety blitz weekends. We're fans of Sgt. Woolley's involvement.
"You can't travel on a long weekend in Ontario without hearing a number of safety messages that are a direct result of coordinating those long weekend blitzes."
Patterson said if the blitzes were going to be scrapped he hoped authorities would still be able to relay the message of being safe on the streets.
Cam Classics
Here are just some of Woolley's recent comments on the riles of the road.
"That was a shiny red Mustang convertible, turned out to be a rental car. The guy said his driving record is so bad he can't afford insurance on his own car so he just rents something."
Canada Day 2006
"The song's called 'Easy come, easy go'. Kind of like his licence, I think."
On a driver doing 190 km/h on the highway, Canada Day weekend, 2006
"The driver told the officers he has such a terrible driving record, it's cheaper to rent a car than pay for insurance if he owned his own car. He's licensed right now, but I doubt it will stay that way for long, because he was charged criminally with dangerous driving."
Canada Day 2006
"Some guy from Toronto comes speeding into town on Highway 12, a map across the steering wheel, text messaging on the Blackberry, talking on the cell phone, smoking a cigarette while making unsafe lane changes, speeding past a police car."
Victoria Day 2006
"One of the worst drivers ... was a 25-year-old Newmarket man on his yellow Suzuki motorcycle, doing 160 kilometres an hour, zipping in between other traffic, with a police car right behind him. Then he pops a wheelie for half a kilometre. So he's been charged with dangerous driving."
Victoria Day 2006
"A Fred Flintsone car."
Every blitz, after finding cars with rusted holes in the floorboards.
*********************************************************
I have to admit I'm not sure how to take this new strategy. Sober messages can easily get tuned out. Humour can get important messages across, such as dangerous driving.
Still, I have to wonder if this wasn't a move for Fantino to get more air time versus Woolley...
