Speeding teen stopped by Steinbach police

Steinbach RCMP stopped a speeding teen who was driving recklessly down Main Street and charged him with a number of offences on Nov. 1.

Police got multiple calls starting at 9:10 p.m., of a motorcyclist driving carelessly down Main Street in Steinbach.

“My friend and I witnessed him on Main last night, we were actually scared to drive so we sat in the Solomon’s parking lot till he was gone and contacted law enforcement,” wrote Adriana Chipilski on Facebook regarding the incident.

“If you saw the way he was driving he was being reckless. Was going at least 100 down Main and was running red lights while weaving through traffic, we felt unsafe to be in the road with him and I’m sure you would’ve been too.”

Officers patrolled the area and found the motorcycle matching the description provided by witnesses at a local business on Main Street. When police activated their lights, the driver of the motorcycle tried to drive away by going around the police cruiser.

The driver clipped the front of the police vehicle, causing him to lose control and drop the bike. The rider attempted to quickly pick the motorcycle up, but an officer was able to place him under arrest.

A 17-year-old male from Mitchell was arrested and charged under the Highway Traffic Act with a total of $1,642 in fines for: driving without motor vehicle liability insurance; failing to stop and remain stopped when signaled or requested by a peace officer; and driving without holding a valid driver’s licence of a class appropriate for the vehicle being driven.

A serious offence notice was also issued for licence review and the motorcycle was towed.

This incident follows a call from the policing agency for motorists to be careful on the road after the RCMP recorded a number of roadside fatalities this year, more recently the deaths of two 19-year-olds in Dominion City and The Pas.

In October, the RCMP recorded eight collisions that killed three people. Since January, police have responded to 65 fatal collisions that resulted in the deaths of 73 people, an increase of 28 percent from this time last year and a 28 percent increase over a five-year average.

Twenty-five of the 73 people who have died in collisions this year were under the age of 30.

“The high number of fatal collisions that have occurred this year is deeply concerning,” said Staff Sgt. Jon Greer, commander for RCMP Traffic Services Enforcement. “These traumatic events leave a lasting impact on the families and friends of the lost. They also deeply affect the first responders, volunteer firefighters, paramedics and police who respond to these tragedies.”

Factors that contributed to these collisions include drugs and alcohol impairment (17 fatal collisions); speed (11 fatal collisions); and seatbelt use (23 fatal collisions). Fourteen of the fatal collisions were at intersections and resulted in the deaths of 18 people. Ten of the collisions involved ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles.

“Motorists need to stay alert and follow the rules of the road at all times,” said Greer. “Making smart decisions when behind the wheel will allow themselves, as well as others on the road, to get home safely.”