Safety Tips and Tricks When Driving Alone

These pages are dedicated to the memory of Linda Shaw, A university student murdered in 1990 while on her way to Western University to write an exam. She was travelling on the 401, but her car was found with a flat tire on a nearby service road in the Woodstock area. Her body was found closeby.

If you were travelling the 401 in that area around that time and remember seeing anything out of the ordinary or suspicious, please call the OPP @ 1-888-310-1122.

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When you are travelling on the highway and have a cellphone, and you have an emergency or see another motorist in difficulty (eg. displaying a CALL POLICE sign in their window or hooked outside the window) , or other suspicious activity, you may contact the OPP by dialling .....*OPP..... (*677)

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TIPS

This first tip is one of my own. I carry a small micro-cassette recorder with me in the car, where I can quickly grab it without having to look for it. It allows me to audibly record any details of an infraction (usually tailgating) , including : licence numbers, trailer numbers, company names, vehicle type and colour, details about the driver if possible, when and where it happened ( time of day, day, km marker nearest) , as much detail as possible, and later I call that in to the OPP station responsible for that region I was travelling in. (Be sure you know in advance where the record button is so that you don't have to look away from the road to start it).

Your recorder could be a lifesaver too, if you are in a situation such as a breakdown. If someone approaches your vehicle in that situation, it might be wise to start it recording and make note on it of the person and any details of his/her vehicle that you can..... and leave it running.... out of site (on the floor if need be).... so that if the situation does get out of hand, you will have left the police some valuable information that just might save your life. More tips about this subject later.

We had the pleasure of getting to know one of our regional OPP officers at our October 1, 2002 Bluebird Club meeting. Officer Patti Debresser brought along a video tape showing several scenarios (re-enactments) of past cases that showed just how things can and do happen, and it included a very active discussion from our members. If your group would like to see it , call your local OPP station and ask to talk to the Community Services officer. I am sure they would be glad to set up a time for your group.

MORE TIPS>>>>>>