Durham teacher caught driving nearly 100km/h in safety zone; facing charges

Police say a teacher, a parent, and an alleged impaired driver are all facing charges after an eventful morning commute in Durham Region on Tuesday morning.

The string of incidents comes on the first day students and teachers returned to school in the region.

Durham Regional Police tweeted that a teacher is facing stunt driving and other charges after they were caught speeding through a community safety zone.

The teacher was allegedly driving 95km/h in a 50km/h zone in Oshawa. Police say the incident occurred between 8:30 and 9 a.m.

First stunt driver of the day……a teacher!! 95 km/hr in a 50km/hr community safety zone. Numerous charges laid. #durhamvisionzero pic.twitter.com/OzstViRL0K

— Durham Regional Police (@DRPS) September 6, 2022

In a separate tweet, Durham police say another driver was pulled over in the morning for going 72km/h in a 50 km/h zone.

The driver allegedly told officers they were in “a rush to get the kids to school.”

“It’s unsafe and it puts everyone else in jepordy,” said Sgt. George Tudos.

Police say the driver was hit with a $205 fine for speeding.

This driver was in a rush to get the kids to school and was pulled over for going 72km/hr in a 50km/hr school zone. $205 fine for 22km over. Please obey posted speed limits. #durhamvisionzero pic.twitter.com/De993ZVnvS

— Durham Regional Police (@DRPS) September 6, 2022

A third driver was allegedly spotted “weaving in and out of traffic” at speeds over 100km/h.

In a third tweet, police say the driver sped past officers and initially failed to stop for police.

Officers eventually successfully stopped the vehicle and have now charged the driver. The vehicle has been impounded. Police say the driver was stopped in a residential area, but not in a school zone.

Driver weaving in and out of traffic at speeds in excess of 100km/hr. Blew by traffic unit. Failed to stop for police. Eventually stopped and charged. Vehicle impounded. #durhamvisionzero pic.twitter.com/cCIvb3X8RC

— Durham Regional Police (@DRPS) September 6, 2022

Durham police did not specify the exact time or location of each incident. CityNews has reached out for more details.

Sgt. Tudos tells CityNews the focus of today and throughout this week is to make sure everyone gets to school safely.

“We want to protect out students, our crosswalk guards. We want to make sure everyone is safe, including our drivers, so be attentive, keep an eye out for kids and make sure you are driving within the speed limit,” added Sgt. Tudos.

Police urge safety on roads as kids return to class

Police across the GTA are urging caution this week, warning drivers that traffic volumes would be much higher during the morning commute with many people returning to a normal routine.

Toronto Police Service are launching their back-to-school campaign aimed at targeting speeding and distracted drivers in school zones.

“All road users should expect increased traffic across Toronto, but specifically within school and residential zones,” warned Toronto Police in a release.

“It is paramount that motorists consider the safety of our most vulnerable road users; school children, pedestrians, and cyclists, when travelling on our roads.”

Ontario school buses are also rolling out an updated lighting system that aims to make it easier for road users to recognize when buses are slowing or stopping.

Buses will now have red and amber lights — a flashing amber light means the bus is slowing down to stop and a flashing red light means it is fully stopped and loading students.

Schools busses now have RED and AMBER lights. ????????????????????
????Flashing Amber???? – Bus is preparing to stop and drivers should slow down and prepare to stop.
????Flashing Red????and Stop Arm out – Bus is loading students and drivers approaching must stop. pic.twitter.com/EQ4m81VvO9

— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) September 5, 2022

The province says a small number of buses that were made prior to 2005 will continue to use the all red lighting system.

Only 37 per cent of Ontario parents say they consider the roads around their child’s school to be safe, according to a survey conducted by CAA. Over three-quarters of respondents reported having seen unsafe driving behaviours in school zones.