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Truck drivers said to be worst when it comes to buckling up • from PROJECT on page A3 project is designed to remind motorists of the need to be cour- teous to other drivers and chil- dren, particularly now that they're back at school. Driving with common sense around students isn't a given, said Schultz, who remarked it doesn't take an entire summer for drivers to forget to be careful around kids. "People forget in one day if you're not on top of them all the time," he said. The project, which is being enforced across Halton, utilizes the Regional Traffic Enforcement Unit and district traffic officers and focuses on the five S's - speeding, seat- belts, stop signs, school zones and school buses. The officers move from school to school, making their presence known. On this particular morning, I was given a chance to tag along with Schultz and see up close the program at work. And so I set up camp at the side of the road alongside Schultz and the radar machine. Most drivers sped slightly who slowed as they passed the cruiser didn't know was their speed was most likely clocked before they even spotted the officer. The radar can pick up speeds from a kilometre away "When they sec you, its usu- ally too late," Schultz said. Surprisingly though, some drivers didn't slow at all, seem- ingly unaware of the flashing lights. "Lights on an emergency vehicle don't seem to mean much anymore," Schultz remarked. At times, the responses of pulled-over motorists were humorous. Even Schultz gave credit for the creative excuses he sometimes gets from befuddled motorists. One older man clocked going 70 km/h Wednesday said he was driving his wife to the hospital. "It could be truc, but proba- bly not," Schultz said later. The man got a ticket, but was given a bit of a break and didn't accumulate any demerit points. Another woman who zipped through a stop sign turning right onto Main Street from Robarts Drive insisted that what despite the area being a safety She got a ticket. When it comes to seatbelts, Schultz said its often truck driv- ers who don't wear them. "I don't know why.... if (its because) they feel safer sitting up high... They're the worst offenders." Many people don't under- stand the hazards of speeding, said Halton police spokesperson Peter Payne. But what might scem like a non-issue - driving 60 km/h instead of 50 km/h - can make a huge difference should a colli- sion occur, be said. The faster a driver travels, the less reaction time be bas and the greater the force of an impact will be. "Speed kilts. It kills because the velocity increases and your ability to react decreases," Payne said. One yellow Leons truck, two minivans and a dilapidated Mack truck later, it was time for this reporter to head back to the office - convinced all the more that speeding's not worth the couple of minutes it might shave off a trip. Certainly not when children are involved. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncana- dianchampion.com. zone, with the average driver ahe did was fine because she traveling just over 60 km/h. looked and tbougbî it was safe What many of the drivers to proceed. Ic- "nI THEý CAn CLEANNG ACAGT Now Open! 88Ontarioi Street, Mllton 9305-875-2226 , . I8 ' .||,IA H 2 4 e RIRSO wo bac fann' 906-878-393-"à 2001 2006 2002 E-850 CareVs U r Cargo Van Ext . EK18WM