With the arrival of nicer weather our beaches have become much busier. Residents are reminded that beach fires are dangerous and illegal. “OAK BAY Public Parks and Beaches BYLAW NO. 3881 Section 20. No person shall light, ignite or maintain any fire, or permit or cause any fire to be lit, ignited or maintained, on any part of the foreshore or beach within the boundaries of The Corporation of the District of Oak Bay.” Contravention can lead to a $2,000 fine. Bicycle Helmets: The Oak Bay Police investigated two cyclists injured this week on our roads. Neither incident involved a motor vehicle but both riders suffered head injuries when they fell to the roadway. Wearing a bicycle helmet is mandatory for riders of all ages and police have stepped up enforcement and will be ticketing violators. Found Bikes: Several bicycles, mostly children’s, have been found around town in the past few weeks and we have been unable to locate the owners. If you are missing a bicycle recently, please contact us to see if we have it. The Oak Bay Police Department has an engraver available for use at our office so that you may engrave your driver’s licence number on your bicycle for easier identification. Generally, bicycle owners are asked to record their bikes serial numbers, makes, models and colours and take a photo so that if you lose your bicycle you may report it and we can get it back to you if found. Theft from vehicle: An unlocked vehicle was entered on Cardiff Pl overnight, possibly June 12, and a large amount of change and an iPod were stolen. Residents are again reminded to lock their vehicles and do not leave valuables inside. Theft from garage: At 0200 AM on June 16th residents of a home in the 1400 block of Beach Drive heard their car alarm go off in their closed garage. The home owner went down and investigated but found nothing amiss. In the morning they found that two children’s scooter had been stolen. Residents are asked to please lock your garage doors. Should you hear or see something suspicious in the middle of the night, call the police immediately so that you are safer and that we may have a better chance of catching the culprit. 0200 AM is usually a great time for a police dog to track a suspect! Cell Phones and Driving: Despite the use of electronic devices while driving having been made illegal in January, 2010, police officers continue to see drivers talking and texting while driving. In an enforcement program on Oak Bay Ave this week seven motorists were stopped in one hour for talking, texting or holding and adjusting MP3 players while driving. Not only will you receive a $167 ticket, studies have shown that: • Cellphone distraction has a similar effect on driving as alcohol impairment • Talking increases the risk of crashing by up to 4 times • Texting increases the risk of crashing by up to 23 times Hands-free phones are not safer Many drivers believe that using a hands-free device while driving is safer. Studies show that hands-free cellphones distract drivers the same as hand-held phones. It’s the conversation that distracts the driver – not the device.* *Source: http://www.bcaa.com/road-safety