OPP patrolling water and roadways this long weekend
Posted August 3, 2013 10:45 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Ontario Provincial Police will be out in force over the Civic Holiday long weekend.
Their focus is the Move Over Law, applying to all drivers who are approaching an emergency vehicle while it’s stopped on the roadside with its lights flashing.
Drivers are required to slow down and pass with caution. If the road has multiple lanes, drivers must move into another lane when it can be done safely.
“Since 1989, we have lost five OPP officers who were tending to their duties on the side of the road,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey. “They were killed by approaching vehicles and many of our emergency partners have also died at the hands of careless drivers in the same situation.”
The Move Over Law was introduced in 2003 and violation comes with a $400 to $1200 fine, as well as the loss of three demerit points if convicted.
Police will also be monitoring the provinces trails and waterways. Six people have died in off-road vehicle incidents so far this year.
Boating is a big part of the August long weekend in Ontario and the Canadian Safe Boating Council in conjunction with the O.P.P. have launched “Operation Dry Water”.
The focus is boating and booze don’t mix.
Ian Gillson is with the Canadian Safe Boating Council said if you’re operating a boat, leave the alcohol behind.
“Often times they’re out there and they’ve had too much to drink either before they left or they’re consuming while they’re out there and that can be a dangerous mix because alcohol accounts for about 40 percent of boating related fatalities,” said Gillson.
Seven of the 20 boating fatalites in Ontario in 2012 involved alcohol.
