DRPS Lays More Than 1,400 Charges During Annual In the Zone Campaign

The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has concluded its annual In the Zone traffic safety campaign, laying 1,447 charges as part of a region-wide enforcement initiative focused on protecting students, pedestrians and families in school zones and Community Safety Zones across Durham Region.

Throughout the campaign, officers conducted targeted enforcement and education efforts aimed at addressing dangerous driving behaviours that place vulnerable road users at risk during the busy back-to-school period.

A total of 1,447 charges were laid, including:

• 590 speeding charges
• 134 speeding charges in Community Safety Zones
• 207 stop sign violations
• 19 stop sign violations in Community Safety Zones
• 39 distracted driving (hand-held device) charges
• 29 red light and amber light offences
• 5 suspended driving charges
• 4 seatbelt offences
• 3 fail to obey crossing guard charges
• 3 fail to yield to pedestrian charges
• 1 stunt driving charge
• 7 pedestrian-related offences for failing to use a crosswalk or obey pedestrian signals
• 406 other Highway Traffic Act and administrative offences

School zones and Community Safety Zones are designed to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Speeding, distracted driving and failing to obey traffic controls significantly increase the risk of collisions and can have devastating consequences.

The DRPS thanks motorists who drive safely and encourages all road users to remain vigilant throughout the school year. Drivers are reminded to slow down, watch for children crossing roadways, obey crossing guards and eliminate distractions when behind the wheel.

The annual In the Zone campaign combines education, engagement and enforcement to raise awareness about road safety and promote responsible driving behaviours in areas where children and pedestrians are present.

While the In the Zone campaign provides an enhanced focus on school and community safety zones, DRPS officers conduct traffic enforcement year-round across Durham Region. Through daily patrols and targeted initiatives, officers continue to address speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving and other dangerous behaviours that place road users at risk.

For more information and road safety tips, visit www.drps.ca or follow DRPS on social media.

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