SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY O.P.P. MEDIA RELEASES DETACHMENT COMMANDER – A/INSP. ANDREW FERGUSON (705) 526-3761 FAX: (705) 526-6700 CALL 1-888-310-1122 FOR POLICE	KEEPING YOU INFORMED KEEPING YOU SAFE
FROM/DE: Highway Safety Division DATE: August 31, 2010 OPP STEPPING UP ENFORCEMENT for UPCOMING LABOUR DAY Weekend (ORILLIA, ON) – As the hot days of summer draw to a close and people prepare to celebrate the final long weekend of the season, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding motorists and boaters traveling on OPP patrolled roadways, waterways and trails during the Labour Day weekend that they should not be taking any time off from thinking about safety. To this effect, OPP officers will be out in full force patrolling Ontario’s highways, waterways and trails targeting aggressive drivers and marine operators to ensure everyone’s safety. “We are asking everyone to join our efforts by acting responsibly while out enjoying the roads and waterways this upcoming holiday long-weekend” said OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis. “The OPP will continue to demonstrate our commitment to safe communities by being out in full force and targeting those who put others safety at risk”. Numerous lives have been lost on our roadways and waterways this summer. So far this year, 205 people have died in traffic related fatalities in Ontario on OPP patrolled roadways as compared to 199 in 2009. Marine fatalities are down in 2010 to 17 to date as compared to 27 in 2009. Despite this trend, the OPP continues to respond almost daily to calls from people in distress on our waterways. “The increase in the number of fatalities from last year causes the OPP great concern” said Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander responsible for OPP Traffic Safety Programs. “This is not acceptable and our stepped up patrols across the province will be addressing this issue by targeting the aggressive driving and boating behaviours that put the lives and safety of innocent people at risk.” The OPP is calling on all motorists and boaters to keep safety as a priority this long weekend. Slow down and be respectful of others. Leave some extra time to get to your destination and keep extra space between you and other vehicles or vessels. Let’s work together to make this final weekend of summer a safe one. - 30 - Contacts by OPP Region: Highway Safety Division: Sergeant Dave Woodford Phone: (416) 553-5471 Central Region: Sergeant Paulo DiFonte Phone: (705) 329-7415 East Region: Sergeant Kristine Rae Phone: (613) 284-4557 Northeast Region: Inspector Mark Andrews Phone: (705) 471-0704 Northwest Region: Sergeant Shelley Garr Phone: (807) 473-2734 West Region: Sgt Dave Rektor Phone: (519) 652-4156 FROM/DE: SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY DETACHMENT DATE: Aug 30, 2010 DRIVER REVIVER STATION SET FOR HWY 400/ GEORGIAN BAY TOWNSHIP THIS FRIDAY (GEORGIAN BAY TOWNSHIP,On) – Celebrating it's 5th year in operation the Georgian Bay Community Policing Committee and the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be operating their 5th annual DRIVER REVIVER STATION. The STATION provides motorists travelling through Georgian Bay Township a safe location to pull over, rest and even have a coffee while en route to cottage country this coming long weekend.  The Driver Reviver Station will be set up at the Bressette House, located at 99 Lone Pine Rd., Port Severn, Georgian Bay Township. Weary motorists who are travelling northbound and southbound on Highway 400 can use Exit 156 to the Honey Harbour Road to leave the highway and take a rest if they are experiencing fatigue while driving or simply need a break from the road. The Driver Reviver Station, which is staffed by dedicated volunteers from the Georgian Bay Community Policing Committee will be operational from 10:00AM till 5:00PM on Friday September 3, 2010.  When weary drivers fail to recognize their fatigue, the result could be fatal. A report released by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation revealed that 1 in 5 drivers had fallen asleep at the wheel in the past 12 months and 50% of those who nodded off did so only after one hour of driving. Motorists must be alert all the time while operating a motor vehicle and should get at least 8 hours sleep the night before they head out on any trip that requires driving for a prolonged period or significant distance. Plan to make this Driver Reviver Station part of your travels this coming long weekend and you will be certain to start it off safely. -30- Contact: Provincial Constable David Hobson – Southern Georgian Bay OPP Phone: (705) 526-3761 david.hobson@ontario.ca Webb: www.opp.ca FROM/DE: SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY DETACHMENT DATE: Aug 30, 2010 SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY OPP ASSIST WITH THE 10^th ANNUAL GLOUCESTER POOL COTTAGER’S ASSOCIATION CANOE FOR CANCER (GEORGIAN BAY TOWNSHIP, ON)- For years the marine unit of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have been leading the way for a flotilla of canoes and kayaks in the Trent System. The trek from the Big Chute Marine Railway to Sunnylea Resort near Lock 45 Port Severn in this annual fund raising event to support the Canadian Cancer Society has been incident free aside from some intentional soakers and tired arms from paddling while under the watch full eyes of the OPP Marine Unit. Participants span all age groups and in some families include 3 generations. The number of paddlers has grown each year and so has the community spirit. The Canoe for Cancer has been an extremely successful event and the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Marine Unit has been a proud participant in this fine example of police and community working together ever since it’s inception on Sept 2, 2001. Media will be able to speak with organizers and participants along the way and at Sunnylea Cottages after 1:30PM as they dine on food and drink from Moose Winooski's. Mariners navigating the Trent System should be aware that there will be a large number of small craft on the waters between the Big Chute Marina Railway and Lock 45 at Port Severn on Sunday September 5, 2010 between the hours of 9:30AM to 3:00PM. -30- Contact: Provincial Constable David Hobson – Southern Georgian Bay OPP Phone: (705) 526-3761 david.hobson@ontario.ca Webb: www.opp.ca
Web space provided by London's 1st Internet Service Provider