Friendly reminder…
Typical OPP holiday weekend stuff…drive safe!
http://citynews.feedroom.com/?ext_story=1657 (Vid)
Article:
OPP Out In Force On Canada Day Long Weekend
Friday June 30, 2006
It’s the Friday before summer’s first long weekend and the weather’s shaping up to be beautiful, which means many city slickers are champing at the bit to get out of town.
But as always, they won’t be the only ones on the roads. OPP officers will be out in force, making sure that cottage- and beach-bound drivers aren’t turning that eagerness into excessive speed.Cruisers will be patrolling highways across the province this Canada Day weekend for lead-footed motorists, aggressive and drunk drivers, and cars too beat up to be on the roads.
“Officers on patrol are looking for the things that cost people their lives. High speeds, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, also seat belts a key focus this weekend,” said OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley.
"Thirty six of the people that have died so far this year died only because they weren’t wearing their seat belt.
“There’s a double message. Have fun this holiday weekend, but please always think safety.”
By noon, officers had pulled over dozens of unsafe vehicles, with everything from broken trailers to unsecured loads. Driver Vincente Calle was forced to find another way to his destination after his car was seized.
“This car, we’re glad we got it off the roads,” Woolley said. “(It was) probably going to crash. Everything from a battery held by gravity - if it touches metal it could catch fire or explode to head lights, signals, the back bumper falling off. Probably we just prevented a crash.”
Calle admitted the unexpected delay was going to prevent him from meeting with a customer, but shrugged it off, saying: “What can you do?”
In addition to the increased patrols, it’s the fourth year in a row for so-called ‘Driver Reviver Stations’ in the Muskoka region, a popular long weekend destination.
The stations let drivers pull over during their trip to grab a coffee and some shut-eye.
And though sitting in traffic is an irritating but necessary part of getting away to the cottage, at least the weather will make it worthwhile once you’re up there.
It’s supposed to stay in the mid- to high-20s from Saturday through to Monday, and though there’s the risk of rain on Saturday, Sunday and Monday look sunny with few clouds in sight.
Meanwhile, roads aren’t the only place people need to be responsible this July 1st weekend.
The Lifesaving Society warns that of the summer’s four long weekends, Canada Day is typically the worst for drownings.
Last year was especially bad in this province, as 16 people drowned over the holiday. That compares to 8 in 2004.
“They get out in a storm and suddenly, you are in a severe situation and your life is at risk,” said provincial Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter. “You should wear a personal flotation device. It isn’t something that you’re a wimp if you’re wearing it. It is absolutely critical to your safety.”
Society spokesperson Barbara Byers said many of last year’s fatalities involved children. Child drownings often occur when parents turn their backs, even for a moment, she cautioned.
Other common causes of water deaths are boating related - when the occupants don’t wear lifejackets, can’t swim, or drink while boating.
Every long weekend he’s out on the highways making sure your trip to the cottage is a safe one and OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley has seen it all on the roads.
Here are the top five “No-nos” Woolley says he sees on the highways every holiday:
Overloaded vehicles and trailers: “Some of the traffic jams today (Friday) have been because people’s stuff actually fell off (their trailers) and blocked the highway,” Woolley said. Camping gear and luggage are usually what falls off the family vehicle, he added.
People Not Wearing Seatbelts: “Especially rear-seat passengers,” Woolley said. “The van gets packed up and everybody puts their seatbelt on except the back seat and they’re the ones that get ejected.”
Speeding
Drinking and Driving
Improperly installed child seats: “About 90 percent of the child seats fail,” Woolley said.