Stolen ATVs recovered

A man with ties to the Hinton area is facing a number of charges in relation to the theft of two ATVs. 

At 10:30 a.m. on July 18, Hinton RCMP responded to a complaint of suspicious activity and trespassing by two males travelling on ATVs in the area of West Fraser Mills. 

RCMP located a male operating a red ATV and a stationary red ATV in the area. During the arrest of the suspect, who refused to stop for police, an RCMP member was injured and required hospitalization. 

Two ATVs were seized and an investigation determined they had been stolen during a break-in at a Grande Cache business within the previous 24 hours. A white utility trailer was also stolen from the business and may have been used to transport the ATVs from Grande Cache. Police are continuing to investigate the whereabouts of the trailer. 

A number of other items were also seized, including cannabis marijuana, methamphetamine, morphine and house-breaking tools. 

Meanwhile, the RCMP is asking for assistance in locating a possible second suspect, and any information related to this investigation. Anyone with information can contact the Hinton RCMP at 780-865-2455 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Clayton William Gosney, 46, of no fixed address, is facing seven Criminal Code charges including: possession of property obtained by crime, resist arrest, assault police officer in resisting, flight causing bodily harm, two counts of failing to comply with a probation order and possession of break-in instruments. 

Gosney is also facing three counts of possession of a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. 

Distracted driving law 

Several international studies show that 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions involve driver distraction, and distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than attentive drivers. The most comprehensive distracted driving legislation in Canada will soon be implemented in Alberta. The new distracted driving law will come into effect on Sept. 1. 

“This legislation is another step forward in our traffic safety efforts and an important addition to our overall traffic safety strategy,” said Minister of Transportation Luke Ouellette. “I am confident this new law, which is practical and enforceable, will help to keep Albertans safer while on the road and that’s something we can all support.”

The new law prohibits the use of hand-held cellphones for talking or texting, the use of other electronic devices, reading, writing and personal grooming while driving. Drivers can still use cellphones or radio communication devices, but only if they use them in a hands-free or voice-activated manner. This means the device is not held in the driver’s hand and is activated by voice or a single touch to the device. Drivers may use a hand-held citizen’s band (CB) or two-way radio when escorting oversized vehicles, to contact one’s employer, or when participating in search, rescue and emergency management situations.

“We are sending an extremely strong traffic safety message to motorists across the province: When you’re in your vehicle, your focus must be on driving,” said Frank Oberle, solicitor general and Minister of Public Security.

For more information, visit: www.transportation.alberta.ca/distracteddriving.htm

Highway disruption

A climbing lane will be closed while crews work on a bin wall repair in Mount Robson Park on Highway 16, approximately 22.5 km east of the junction with Highway 5. A traffic management plan has been devised to minimize traffic impacts with special consideration to emergency services, transit, local property owners and commuters.