The Traffic Unit investigates all fatal and life threatening motor vehicle collisions, perform tests on impaired drivers to determine levels of intoxication, and conduct traffic enforcement throughout the region.  This unit also participates and initiates a variety of programs that allow the community to become involved in traffic safety issues.

NRPS WANTS TRAFFIC COMPLAINTS

The Niagara Regional Police Service have set up a hotline to allow citizens to provide feedback on traffic safety issues.  The hotline allows the public to provide information on where traffic is dangerous, problems you're encountering on the roads, and other traffic safety complaints.  This initiative doesn't replace existing methods of dealing with accidents and other traffic issues, but serves as an additional way of reporting incidents you may have witnessed or become aware of.  By the public and police working together, the Niagara Region becomes a safer place for everyone.

To use the NRPS traffic hotline, call (905) 688-4111, ext. 5555.

You can also submit traffic complaints via email by using our Online Traffic Complaints Form.

TRAFFIC INITIATIVES / PROGRAMS

The Traffic Unit conducts a number of programs throughout the year, inclusive to those listed below.  Statistics related to these initiatives may be found in the Niagara Regional Police Service's Annual Report, which is available in the Reports and Publications section of our Web site.

R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Drivers Everywhere)

The R.I.D.E. program is an important part of reducing offences involving drinking and driving.  To achieve this goal, the Traffic Unit sets up checkpoints, and stops vehicles to determine whether drivers may be impaired.  Tested at the roadside, drivers who have been drinking may be issued with 12-hour licence suspensions or arrested for drinking and driving related offences.

The R.I.D.E. program has proven very successful at deterring and apprehending impaired drivers, as well as continuing to provide public awareness surrounding the issues concerning drinking and driving.  Operating from provincial grant money as well as on-duty personnel, the program operates year round with specific focus placed on high occurrence periods such as the December holiday time frame.  Although the majority of provincial R.I.D.E funding is allocated during the peak December period, a portion of the funding is set aside for target initiatives and specific high profile events associated with identified drinking and driving related issues.

The S.T.E.E.P program operates as a self-funded education and enforcement component of the Central Traffic Unit intended to target selective areas by allowing traffic offenders to participate in an education program rather than receive a provincial offence notice. Officers are deployed at various times and locations to address areas that have been identified as being problematic both internally and externally, from agencies such as Regional Traffic Engineering, Public Health and various Municipal offices.

Operation Impact is a provincially led initiative, which was expanded and modified to suit the needs of the Niagara Region.  Designed to target both impaired and aggressive drivers, this campaign involves vehicles being stopped across the province, with drivers who are believed to be impaired required to provide immediate breath samples. 

Aggressive Driving Initiatives

Under the direction of the Central Traffic Unit, the Niagara Regional Police Service participates in numerous traffic safety initiatives that focus on the issues surrounding aggressive driving.  Aggressive driving enforcement campaigns delivered by the Service include rural enforcement, red light and stop sign programs.