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Ponoka RCMP investigate several vehicle complaints

A quad was stolen west of Ponoka during the night of May 21. The quad, a red Honda, was left unattended at a rural residence. RCMP have no suspects and no tire marks were found at the scene of the crime. Police are asking for the public’s assistance in solving this crime and wanted to remind quad owners not to leave quads unattended in plain sight.

You’re going the wrong way

In the early morning hours of May 27 a car was reported driving the wrong way down Highway 2. The car, a BMW, was located travelling southbound in the northbound lane near the Morningside turnoff on Highway 2. The driver was arrested and charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and impaired driving.

Child not hurt after being hit by truck

On May 27 at 4 p.m. the police were called to an accident outside of a Ponoka school. The accident occurred when a truck backed into a child. The child was examined and no injuries were sustained. The driver of the truck was charged with backing up unsafely.

New law coming into effect soon

Driver distraction is a growing traffic safety concern among policy makers and the public. International studies have shown that 20 to 30 percent of collisions involve driver distraction. Alberta has taken a leadership role to address this serious traffic safety issue by passing Bill 16 the Traffic Safety (Distracted Driving) Amendment Act to help make roads safer. The new bill will restrict drivers from: using hand-held cell phones, texting or e-mailing, using electronic devices such as laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players, entering information on GPS units, reading printed materials in the vehicle, writing, printing or sketching, and personal grooming.

The new law, which may take effect early this fall, will apply to all roads in both urban and rural areas of the province.

Bill 16 received Royal Assent on Dec. 2, 2010 and the fine for the offence is $172.