Be aware: if you’re driving aggressively in Puslinch Township, you are also being watched.
Sept. 11 marked the launch of Puslinch Road Watch, a program new to Wellington County.
Road Watch chairman David Haley welcomed the official launch of the Puslinch Township program.
“It is a program that empowers and allows drivers to report aggressive and dangerous driving,” Haley said. “Our job is just to provide the conduit, or the process, to allow that to be done.”
He added the information remains confidential, and committee members do not see any of that information.
Also on hand were Puslinch Mayor Brad Whitcombe and Wellington OPP Inspector Scott Smith, who unveiled the sign.
In addition, Haley pointed out a number of sponsor representatives were also at the presentation, including Car-Store Automotive, Dufferin Aggregates, Nestle Waters, Subway (Puslinch) and Mary Kay.
Glenna Smith, chairman of the community oriented policing (COP) committee, said, “We are very excited this morning to be launching a Road Watch program in Puslinch Township and it is our hope that before long this program will be county wide.”
She said the OPP?contacted the Puslinch group to see if it would be interested in starting the program.
“We contacted council, they supported us, we appointed a committee and they have worked very hard to get this up and running.
“What is Road Watch? It is a Canada-wide program designed to reduce the incidence of dangerous and aggressive driving on local roads.”
Smith told those gathered, “It is a way you, as local citizens, can report bad driving habits to the police, which in turn gives them a method of follow-up. This is not for reporting emergencies; for those you still need to call 9-1-1.”
She said, “Road Watch makes each of you the eyes of our roadways.”
The group’s booth at the annual Puslinch Fall Fair offered information for people to become an active partner in the program and a supporter of a safe community. Smith noted residents can either report an incident on a written form or online at www.roadwatch.ca.
“It’s just a way to make our community safe. So please, become part of Road Watch of Puslinch Township.”
She said the Road Watch signs will be installed in numerous locations around Puslinch to remind people to watch for poor drivers.
Puslinch Mayor Brad Whitcombe said while it might be nice, “It’s the folks in the yellow T-shirts, the Road Watch committee members, and our superb COP committee that work to make the community safer, that really deserve the credit and the thanks here.”
He also recognized the local sponsors and the work of the Wellington County OPP.
“It is a great partnership for our community, and it’s just another way to remind folks that we’re a community, not just a place to drive through.”
Inspector Scott Smith said “I’m extremely proud to be here for the unveiling of the program. I’m proud to be able to partner with the Puslinch COP?committee, and the supporters of the program.”
“It is certainly our hope and our goal that to ensure that those travelling the roadways of Wellington County can do so safely.”
His hope is that starting with this program in Puslinch, “Puslinch will have the safest roads in Wellington County.”
What is needed from residents, is their support, Smith said.
“We know from research, that over and over, when people are watched, then they behave better. The idea behind the Road Watch program is to tell every motorist coming into Wellington County through Puslinch, that their driving habits are being watched.”
“And if you misbehave while you’re driving, it will be reported to the police, and the police will take the appropriate action.”
Later, Smith said it took about a year for the program to be launched.
She said because the program is Canadian-wide, a licence was needed. She noted a presentation was made by a similar group in Peel Region to the local committee.
“Because the Wellington County OPP?were really pushing this, it helped a lot to get the support of the township – which we really didn’t have any trouble getting.”
The only real expense, she said, is for the signs.
She estimated 15 signs will be installed throughout the township on major roads, and roads coming into the township – both township and county roads.
She added the OPP?are really hoping to have similar programs across Wellington County. “Other councils will be able to see the results for themselves – and go for it. It’s something the police are interested in, and doesn’t cost a lot.”
She also believes it would be relatively easy for other municipalities to implement.
Smith said Puslinch has a fairly active COPs committee “because we seem to have a lot of speeders in Puslinch.”
She noted one thing the group is considering is having uniform speeds throughout the township.
“I’m not sure we’re going to be able to do that, but it would make it easier for the police to monitor if all the roads were a certain speed.”
Road Watch background
The Road Watch program, started by the Town of Caledon in 1995, is on its way to becoming a Canada-wide initiative and is currently available in the regions of Durham, Halton, Peel, York, and the cities of Mississauga and Burlington.
If a person observes a dangerous act of aggressive driving on the roads of Puslinch Township, with safety first and foremost, make note of the licence plate number, province, make, model, and colour of vehicle, location, time and date.
As soon as possible thereafter, the person can log on to the Road Watch website roadwatch.ca and click on the Wellington OPP reporting icon.
In addition to that, the person needs to describe details of the incident. Any additional information (such as a description of the driver or the names of other witnesses would also be helpful.”
However, even having just the licence plate numbers and province, may be enough to initiate an investigation.
Citizens remain anonymous to the person they are reporting about.
Personal information provided will be kept confidential. However each report requires the name of the person reporting and contact information.
Anonymous citizen reports will not be processed.
Officials stated people can be assured any personal information is for statistical use only, and is held in the strictest of confidence by the OPP under the Freedom of Information Act.
If a person does not have access to a computer, a citizen report form may be picked up at the Township of Puslinch offices, or the Puslinch library. These forms may be dropped off at the township offices.
All people have to do with them is insert the completed, signed form into the envelop provided and seal it before depositing it into the drop box at the township office, or hand it to township staff.
