A crash on Dundas St. shows the need for motorists to concentrate on the road rather than the next mall when driving during the holiday season, London police warn.
While it’s unknown if charges will be laid, a witness said a car turned left from Ashland Ave. onto Dundas early Monday afternoon and clipped the back end of another car heading west. That car, a Malibu, lost control, skipped the curb and slammed into a tree, demolishing much of the vehicle’s front end.
An elderly woman, who was driving the Malibu, and a female passenger were taken to hospital with various injuries, though it’s believed they were non-life threatening.
“The elderly woman suffered chest and pelvic pain (and) the passenger sustained neck and back pain,” said London fire platoon Chief Paul Carew
Police say they’re concerned some drivers will have visions of sugarplums and gift lists in their heads instead of the rules of the road as they journey from one mall to another.
“We’ve got a lot on our minds right now with the holiday season here,” said London Const. Ken Steeves. “We’re fortunate we don’t have snow on our roads, but we do have to be aware of other motor vehicles, pedestrians and our surroundings.”
Officers will keep an eye out for those too distracted to drive.
“We’ll be out on the road monitoring people’s driving just to ensure that you’re operating your motor vehicle in a safe manner.”
Police say they’re finding it difficult getting the message of careless driving through to some motorists, even though they’ve gone to great lengths to stymie people from using handheld devices while behind the wheel.
As of Nov. 30, careless driving offences were up 17% during the same period in 2011. Impaired driving is also up 4%.
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