SUDBURY MEDIA RELEASES DETACHMENT COMMANDER – S/SGT GARRY MILLS (705) 564 - 6900 CALL 1-888-310-1122 FOR POLICE	KEEPING YOU INFORMED KEEPING YOU SAFE
Sudbury/Espanola Detachment RELEASE: May 15^th, 2008 OPP WILL BE IN THE AIR, ON THE GROUND AND ON THE WATER THIS WEEKEND WATCHING FOR AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS AND THOSE WHO DRINK AND DRIVE (Sudbury) – The Ontario Provincial Police will be using all available resources and personnel over the Victoria Day weekend to crack down on aggressive drivers, those who drink and drive and those who fail to buckle up. “We will be using two aircraft, our own and a rented plane, cruisers and boats to patrol the highways, trails and waterways of Ontario,” OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said. “We have only been using the plane for about a week but it is already having a positive effect on speeds on the 400 series of highways. We are able to cover more ground more quickly and more effectively than in the past. “Our boats are in the water and will be patrolling the lakes and rivers over which we have jurisdiction,” Fantino added. “Our goal is to get through the first long weekend of the summer season with no fatalities or drowning.” Last year over the Victoria Day Weekend, seven people were killed on roads the OPP patrols. There were no marine fatalities. This is National Safe Driving Week, Canada Road Safety Week and North American Safe Boating Awareness Week across Canada and the United States. “With this weekend traditionally kicking off the summer driving season, we’re expecting to see significant increases in traffic,” OPP Chief Superintendent Bill Grodzinski, Commander of the Highway Safety Division, said. “We will be using the second aircraft in cottage country along Highway 69 to watch for speeders. Our own plane will be over Highway 400 all weekend, as it has been every day since we started aerial enforcement on May 6^th, 2008.” Anyone caught doing more than 50 kilometres over the posted speed limit will have their car impounded and licence suspended for seven days on the spot. Since the legislation was introduced last September, police services in Ontario have charged more than 4,500 motorists. The OPP will also be watching for those who fail to move over when passing an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road with its emergency lights activated. Although only certain sections of Highways 400 and 69 currently have markings to permit the OPP to check their speed from the air, motorists should be aware that the spotters will also be watching for vehicles, especially trucks, that are following too closely, weaving in and out of traffic, or are using the shoulder of the road to avoid traffic tie-ups. National Safe Driving Week is aimed at young drivers who don’t buckle up. Although there has been substantial improvements over the past two decades, road crashes remain the leading cause of death for young people in Canada. Young drivers represent only 13 per cent of licenced drivers in Canada but account for 25 per cent of all driver deaths and injuries, according to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation. The Canada Safety Council week-long initiative focuses on teens to drive the message home.  Seatbelts save lives…Buckle Up! The Canada Road Safety Week campaign proactively raises the motoring public’s awareness of the importance of safe driver behaviour and supports the long-term goal of reducing fatal and serious injury collisions and making Canada’s roadways the safest in the world. The goal of this year’s safe boating campaign continues to be to ensure that the millions of Canadians who head out on the waters in canoes and kayaks, sailboards and sailboats, fishing boats, personal watercraft, power boats and cruisers are equipped with the knowledge necessary for a safe day on the water. “We will be out in full force all weekend,” Fantino said. “Slow down; don’t drink while operating a vehicle or boat. Working together, we will ensure that everyone gets where they’re going and home again safely.” - 30 - Contact: Detachment Commander: Constable Michelle Coulombe Staff Sergeant Garry Mills Community Services Officer/Media Relations Sudbury Administration Centre 1-888-310-1122 or (705) 564-6902 ext. 2155 Sudbury/Espanola Detachment RELEASE: May 15^th, 2008 Early Season Boating Dangers Expect the Unexpected! (Sudbury, Ontario) It’s hard to resist the beckoning, ice-free water of your favourite lake or river. The Ontario Provincial Police urge boaters and paddlers alike to be aware of the reality of cold-water dangers. The Cold - Hard – Facts… Immersion in cold water causes a powerful gasping reflex. If the victim is underwater, due to lack of a personal flotation device (PFD), water may be inhaled resulting in drowning. The victim may never surface. Hypothermia develops more slowly than the immediate effects of cold-water shock. Water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than cold air. About 50% of that heat loss occurs through the head and neck. An adult dressed in average clothing may remain conscious for 30 to 60 minutes at water temperature of 4 - 10° C and perhaps 1 - 2 hours at 10 - 15° C. The situation is more serious than these numbers suggest. Any movement at all greatly increases heat loss and shortens survival time. Hands become numb and useless in minutes and swimming is next to impossible. The victim is soon helpless, though still conscious. Subsequently, unconsciousness leads to drowning. In 2007, twenty-eight (28) people died while on OPP waterways – twenty-two (22) of those people were not wearing a lifejacket. Of those twenty-eight deaths, six (6) were on North East Region waterways while nine (9) were alcohol related. “Stowing your PFD under the seat of your boat won’t do you a whole lot of good when you lose your balance and fall overboard,” explains Traffic Sergeant Yves Forget. “Increase your chance of survival and reduce your drowning risk by wearing an approved lifejacket and expect the unexpected!” 30 – Contact: Detachment Commander: Constable Michelle Coulombe Staff Sergeant Garry Mills Community Services Officer/Media Relations Sudbury Administration Centre 1-888-310-1122 or (705) 564-6902 ext. 2155 Sudbury/Espanola Detachment RELEASE: May 14^th, 2008 VICTORIA DAY WEEKEND - SAFE BOATING TIPS (Sudbury, ON) - Recreational boating is supposed to be fun, so why do roughly 150 people die every year in boating incidents? That’s not even counting the cases involving serious personal injury. Almost all boating deaths and injuries are preventable. Use common sense when you’re out on the water. Things can change in a split second. Boaters are responsible for operating their vessels safely. This means learning the rules for recreational boating and following them. Those who do not comply with the law could be subject to penalties or fines. All Personal Watercraft (PWC) operators in Canada must be at least 16 years of age and must carry proof of competency, commonly known as the “Pleasure Craft Operator Card”, at all times. Operators of vessels less than 4m (13’1”) in length, regardless of age, MUST now carry proof of competency at all times. It is important to note that although there is no proof of competency required to operate vessels exceeding 4m in length at this time, all operators will be required to obtain proof of competency by September 2009. The Small Vessel Regulations identify the minimum equipment required on board your pleasure craft according to vessel length. The list below indicates some of the required equipment, for certain vessel type, to assist you: Vessel Licence (make sure your PWC is properly licenced and marked) Canadian-approved personal floatation device (PFD) or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person on board and in good condition Buoyant heaving line, no less than 15m (49’3”) in length Watertight flashlight or 3 Canadian-approved flares of type A, B or C Sound-signalling device like a horn or whistle One manual propelling device or an anchor with not less than 15m of cable, rope or chain in any combination One bailer or one manual water pump fitted with or accompanied by sufficient hose to enable a person using the pump to pump water from the bilge of the vessel over the side of the vessel. For more information on the regulations, pick up your FREE copy of the “Safe Boating Guide” at any OPP Detachment, call 1-800-635-7943 or online at www.publications.gc.ca. Members of the Sudbury and Espanola OPP Marine Units will be out on local waterways conducting marine patrols beginning this weekend and until the end of the summer. 30 – Contact: Detachment Commander: Constable Michelle Coulombe Staff Sergeant Garry Mills Community Services Officer/Media Relations Sudbury Administration Centre 1-888-310-1122 or (705) 564-6902 ext. 2155 Sudbury/Espanola Detachments RELEASE: May 12^th, 2008 ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE TAKING PART IN ANNUAL NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK CAMPAIGN (Sudbury/Espanola, ON) - All 165 Ontario Provincial Police detachments, including Sudbury and Espanola, are taking part in the annual Canada Road Safety Week campaign aimed at making our roads the safest in the world. This year’s campaign runs from 12:01 a.m. on May 13, 2008 to 11:59 p.m. on May 19, 2008. “The goal of Canada Road Safety Week is to increase public compliance with safe driving measures and, ultimately, to save lives,” OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said. “We will be targeting aggressive drivers, those who drink and drive and those who don’t buckle up. We will also be watching for motorists who don’t slow down and, where possible, move over when passing an emergency vehicle parked on the shoulder of the road with its emergency lights flashing.” Last year in Ontario, 451 people were killed in crashes on roads patrolled by the OPP. Transport Canada statistics for 2006, the last full year available, indicate that 2,889 people were killed in collisions across the country and another 15,281 were seriously injured. To date in 2008, there have been 102 people killed in Ontario, down from the same period last year. Contributing factors in these deaths were 31 people died in speed related collisions, 27 people died in collisions where seat belts or child restraints were not used and 15 people died in alcohol related collisions. “For many years, the OPP, along with police agencies across the country, have collaborated to raise the awareness regarding issues of public safety on our roads,” Staff Sergeant Garry Mills said. “We also use this campaign to demonstrate our commitment to public safety and community wellness.” Canada Road Safety Week supports Canada’s Road Safety Vision 2010, a plan to make Canada’s roads the safest in the world by 2010. 30 – Contact: Detachment Commander: Constable Michelle Coulombe Staff Sergeant Garry Mills Community Services Officer/Media Relations Sudbury Administration Centre 1-888-310-1122 or (705) 564-6902 ext. 2155 Sudbury Detachment RELEASE: May 12^th, 2008 ATV SAFETY TIPS VICTORIA DAY LONG WEEKEND (Sudbury, ON) - The popularity of all-terrain-vehicle riding in Ontario continues to grow and although an exciting recreational activity for many, it is not without risk. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of people injured or killed while riding ATVs. In 2007, the OPP Northeast Region investigated a total of 7 fatal ATV collisions. While 26 people were killed while riding in OPP jurisdiction across the province, seven of whom were under the age of 25. The OPP would like to inform the public that off-road vehicles now have more access to the shoulder and paved portions of some Ontario highways. These regulations, effective July 31^st, 2003, apply exclusively to one category of Off-Road vehicles. The following is defined as an off-road vehicle: has four wheels, the tires of which are all in contact with the ground; has steering handlebars; has a seat that is designed to be straddled by the driver; and meets requirements of federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard. The regulation DOES NOT apply to other types of off-road vehicles such as mini-bikes, dirt bikes and motocross bikes. The following are legislative requirements for operating an ATV in Ontario. It also outlines safe riding practices that will reduce your risk of injury. Riders must wear an approved motorcycle helmet. Always carry your ownership, insurance and driver’s licence when riding on roads. Obey speed limits; a maximum 20 km/hr on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/hr or less; a maximum 50 km/hr on roads where the speed limit is more than 50 km/hr. When travelling on roads you must travel on the shoulder and in the same direction of traffic. You must be at least 12 years old to drive an ATV off-road unless under close adult supervision. You must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid G2/M2 licence or greater to drive on roads. Young riders lack the physical strength, experience and cognitive skills to operate an ATV safely. Know their abilities before you let them ride. Off-Road vehicles must be registered and have a valid permit except in exempt areas. Previous exemptions for farmers, trappers and public utility workers remain in place. It is against the law to drive an off-road vehicle when impaired by alcohol or drugs. Off-Road vehicles MUST have the specific equipment (e.g., working head lights, working tail lights, working brakes, reflectors, low-pressure bearing tires). Always wear proper eye protection; not sunglasses. A face shield or goggles will certainly help. Always wear proper clothing; boots, gloves, pants and a long sleeved shirt or jacket. Be prepared. Always carry a map, compass or GPS unit, and first aid kit, and know how to use them. Plan to survive. An axe, rope, waterproof matches and high energy snacks may come in handy. As of July 2003, municipalities were given the authority to determine whether or not off-road vehicles should be allowed access to highways under their authority. Municipalities must put a by-law in place for off-road vehicles to be allowed access to their highways. Municipalities can determine which highways, where on the highway, time of day, and season that off-road vehicles are allowed access. They can also set speed limits that are lower than those set out in the regulation. If a by-law does not exist, off-road vehicles are not allowed access to that municipality’s road. Contact your Municipality office for Off-Road Vehicle By-Laws. For more detailed information about on-road and off-road ATV legislation, please refer to www.e-laws.gov.on.ca. 30 – Contact: Detachment Commander: Constable Michelle Coulombe Staff Sergeant Garry Mills Community Services Officer/Media Relations Sudbury Administration Centre 1-888-310-1122 or (705) 564-6902 ext. 2155 Sudbury/Espanola Detachments RELEASE: May 9^th, 2008 POLICE BEAT (Sudbury/Espanola) – The Sudbury and Espanola Detachments of the Ontario Provincial Police responded to fifty-four calls (54) calls for service between May 5^th and May 9^th, 2008. MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS Sudbury and Espanola OPP officers responded to a total of eight (8) motor vehicle collisions during this time period. Two of those collisions involved wildlife. On May 6^th, 2008 at 6:30 a.m., a vehicle struck a deer on Highway 69, Burwash Township (just south of Estaire). On May 7^th, 2008 at 5:30 p.m., officers responded to a collision on Highway 144, Onaping Falls, where a vehicle struck a deer. Fortunately, there were no injuries in both these collisions. Drivers are reminded to continue to watch for wildlife, especially at dusk and dawn. DRUGS FOUND ON SCHOOL BUS On morning of May 6^th, 2008, officers received a report from a bus driver with Veteran’s Transportation advising she found small bag marijuana on her bus after her bus route from Massey to Espanola High School. Officers seized the drugs and the investigation is continuing. DISTRACTED DRIVER CHARGED While on patrol on Highway 69, City of Greater Sudbury on the afternoon of May 8^th, 2008, officers observed a driver applying make-up while driving. As the officer was following her, the vehicle began to leave the marked lane and drift onto the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was stopped and a check of the driver revealed she was suspended. The 21-year-old female driver, from Sudbury was charged with Drive While Under Suspension, Fail to Display Front Plate and Fail to have Validated Permit. SPEEDING IN CONSTRUCTION ZONES Road construction continues on Highway 69 and Highway 17 in the Sudbury area and will do so throughout the summer. New legislation governing speed limits in designated construction zones and the doubling of speeding fines in a construction zone when there are workers present came into effect March 31^st, 2006. Municipalities in Ontario can also designate construction zones in their jurisdiction. This legislation will improve the safety of both workers and motorists by doubling the speeding fines in a designated construction zone when there are workers present and by making it easier for municipalities to reduce the enforceable speed limits in construction zones. Speeding: 1 - 19 km/h over the speed limit - $5.00 per kilometre over + three demerit points. 20 - 29 km/h over the speed limit - $7.50 per kilometre over + three demerit points. 30- 49 km/h over the speed limit - NO OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT + four demerit points. For example, if you’re caught speeding 20 km/h over the speed limit, you would receive a total fine of $95.00 but if you’re caught speeding 20 km/h over the speed limit in a construction zone when workers are present, you would receive a total fine of $180.00. Disobeying a Traffic Control Person's STOP and SLOW Sign This legislation also makes it an offence to disobey a traffic control person's STOP and SLOW sign incurring fines between $60 and $500 and penalties of 3 demerit points for this offence. A traffic control person is defined as an individual who directs traffic and works for or is under contract to, a road authority or a utility. Firefighters have also been given the authority to use the traffic control STOP and SLOW sign under Bill 169, therefore fines and penalties would also apply at the scene of a collision where the signs are being used by firefighters. In some instances, a traffic control person not employed or under contract to a road authority or utility might be required to control traffic on a municipal roadway. In these cases written permission or a permit from the municipality with jurisdiction over the work area must be obtained. Please be patient when encountering road crews and highway construction. Let’s pay attention to the signs and watch out for the construction workers on our roads! For more information on Construction Zones fines and speed fines visit the MTO website at: www.mto.gov.on.ca. 30 – Contact: Detachment Commander: Cst. Michelle Coulombe Staff Sergeant Garry Mills Community Services Officer/Media Relations Sudbury Administration Centre 1-888-310-1122 or (705) 564-6902 ext. 2155 Espanola Detachment RELEASE: May 9^th, 2008 SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS Understanding and Combating Drug Addiction, Youth Gangs and Violence (Espanola) – As part of this year’s Police Week theme “Working With Today’s Youth to Build Safer Communities” and the D.A.R.E. program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), members of the Ontario Provincial Police have made arrangements for a “Northern Tour” with guest speaker, Mr. Rick Osborne, to give a presentation to students in Webbwood, Massey, New Liskeard, Kapuskasing, Thessalon and Elliot Lake. Rick Osborne is the founding director of Truth for Teens, a not-for-profit organization that educates youth about the reality of involvement with drugs, gangs and crime. Rick became a heroin addict at age 15 and was one of Canada's most wanted by age 24 and was the first teenager to enroll in a methadone program in 1971. He speaks and connects with his audience about his life as a former gang member and his 23 years in Federal Penitentiaries. He is considered by many, an expert in the field because of his unique life experiences and credentials. Rick has a B.A. in Psychology from Queen’s University and an Addiction Care Worker Diploma from McMaster University. Truth For Teens evolved from Rick's desire to speak the truth about drugs, crime, and the gang life. Truth For Teens was established to facilitate getting this message to as many teens as possible. Rarely does someone survive Rick's past with both the ability and the motivation to make a difference in so many young lives. Rick’s presentations are made possible through generous donations from the Township of Sables-Spanish Rivers, St. Mary School, S. Geiger Public School, Biidaaban School and Webbwood Public School. Mr. Osborne will be presenting at the following schools on Monday, May 12^th, 2008: Webbwood P.S. – 6 Minto St., Webbwood at 10:20 a.m. St. Mary School – 270 Algoma St., Massey at 12.30 p.m. S. Geiger P.S. – 355 Government Rd., Massey at 1:45 p.m. For more information about Mr. Osborne’s presentation, please visit his website at: www.truth4teens.ca. RICK OSBORNE Rick Osborne was a drug addicted gang member who served close to 25 years in federal prison for robbery and weapons related offences. Now he speaks to students about the realities of crime, drugs and gangs. Contact: Detachment Commander: Cst. Michelle Coulombe Staff Sergeant Garry Mills Community Services Officer/Media Relations Sudbury Administration Centre 1-888-310-1122 or (705) 564-6902 ext. 2155
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