Incidents on long weekend = 6

Read my lips...
keep back

We warn them. We talk about safe driving and the impact of a death on a family. There are no accidents, only incidents with an impact on first responders as much as anyone. The OPP warn us about boat safety. But it does not sink in, in you'll excuse the pun.

The person behind us (right), in 85 km/hr. busy traffic, apparently wanted to see into our trunk. We declined the offer. 

You just take a deep breath 

This guy (left) had to pass us on a solid line, with oncoming traffic. 

Remember what Education and Safe Driver taught us, move to the right and keep your left two wheels on asphalt, while the right two are on the shoulder. 

Gotta hurry north!

This gives you more traction and space.

Up the hill they go

I have more photos of crazy people. Passing up a hill on double solid lines. 

At least six dead in separate road and waterway accidents

6 Sep 2010 ...

Provincial police say the bodies of Joseph Silva and Brodie Williamson, both 18, were found not far from where their canoe had capsized. OPP say on Sunday three teens went out on an early morning canoe ride and found themselves in trouble because of strong winds and choppy waters.

 Traffic deaths up, boat deaths down in summer 2010

Drowning in Algonquin Park

An evening canoe trip in Algonquin Park ended in the drowning death of a 31-year-old Midland man.

On Saturday, a 74 year old Toronto woman died following a car crash in Fenelon Falls, and another person was killed in a crash near Port Hope.

From Sept. 3 - 6 OPP laid 115 impaired driving charges, 5,763 speeding, 470 seatbelt and 64 stunt driivng charges.

But most recently the headline read: 

Motorists’ moves leave police scratching their heads 

PERTH COUNTY — What were these drivers thinking?

I've done the same thing myself. Scratched my head, I mean. 

In a sad, but true article, Brent Davis wrote about recent OPP reports:
Aug. 30, 2010

• man pulled over without a valid licence since 1995
• 53-year-old from North Perth was charged with driving without a licence
• vehicle was towed away.

Monday evening:

• OPP clock a motocycle at 230 km/hr.
• officer doesn’t even think the driver saw the cruiser’s lights go on. 
• A pursuit wasn’t begun in the interest of public safety.

Tuesday:

• officer spots a driver reading a paper while driving
• continued to turn pages and weave in his lane as OPP pursued
• a 31-year-old charged with careless driving

still on: Tuesday morning

• OPP officer had to get onto the shoulder of the road to avoid a head on crash with oncoming SUV passing other cars
• radar clocked a 19-year-old with speeding (129 km.hr) and unsafe pass

Traffic delays - Aug. 9th in Bala

An Orillia man is dead and a Collingwood man injured after a flatbed truck crashed this morning on Highway 400 in Georgian Bay Township.

The truck struck the centre median rock divider, went into, then left the ditch, and hit the a rock cut.

Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to remove the body of Brian Moore (27).
His passenger, Timothy Vincent (46), was sent to hospital and then released after treatment.

Traffic was rerouted along highway #38.

OPP directed the heavy flow of traffic until about 1:30 p.m.

Crazy boaters - loonies on the lake

Yes, they are crazy. And you can imagine that they drive this way on land, too! 



After logging two weeks driving across S. Ontario, we've seen it.  Imagine letting a youngster drive this machine. Even the fabulous new safe boating laws do nothing. 

The Safe Boater™ Training Course and Exam
- is a joke. 
"Any operator of a pleasure craft caught without proof of competency will receive the $250 fine - No Exceptions"

At this point, it depends upon whether you are caught. Many boaters either do not understand or some flaunt the law. OPP Marine crews cannot monitor all of the lakes. Many can pass these simple tests with eyes closed, and drive with the same regard for safety and the law: eyes closed. The rules do not apply to me!

Pleasure craft operator card licensing Age and Horsepower restrictions:

• Operators under the age of 12 and not directly supervised by an adult can operate a Pleasure Craft with no greater than 10 hp
• Operators 12 years of age and over, but under 16 years of age and not directly supervised by an adult can operate a Pleasure Craft with no greater than 40 hp
• Operators 16 years of age and over have no restrictions

I wouldn't be happy canoeing near him! Those in the canoe weren't wearing life jackets, and the power boats were quite evident.  

 I've seen what the dads do. Figure eights and donuts, around and around. 

There was much traffic on our lake this weekend. We'll see what the holiday death tolls amounts to in August.

July was not good on water or land. We lost 16 loved ones in water or on the highways on the July Canada Day long weekend.

Awfully fast machines amongst casual boaters

To date, we have had 163 road deaths in 2010, compared to 154 during the same period in 2009.
The OPP have been vigilant. Their Traffic Safety Program has been successful in reducing fatalities. 

Ontario Provincial Police | What We Do

Initiatives under the Provincial Traffic Safety Program address high-risk behaviours involving occupant restraint, impaired driving and aggressive driving. The majority of our fatalities involve these three factors. This approach ensures a unified methodology focused on reducing injuries and saving lives, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year. All aspects of the Program will support the following six provincial and national traffic safety strategies:

• Spring Seat Belt Campaign
• Canada Road Safety Week
• Operation Corridor
• Operation Impact
• Fall Seat Belt Campaign
• Festive R.I.D.E. Program 

Even one needless deaths breaks the heart of many families. Defensive boating is a course many could take. Except you think it will never apply to you. Cindy Smith, of Education for the Driving Masses, recommends driving safety courses. These courses help you protect yourself from idiots and drunk  drivers. On the water, well, use your head and stay away from busy traffic areas. 

Everyone wearing life jackets!

"Take more lessons. Upgrade your skills with winter driver's training and collision-avoidance methods and take refresher courses so you can correct any bad habits you've acquired."


Another idea from: 'SafeDriver'  

If you're stopped in traffic and see another drivier approaching from behind you....move!
Even the OPP are not immune.  Close Call For Police in Port Carling
Moose FM CFBG 99.5  On July 26, Bracebridge OPP were conducting a speed enforcement program at the intersection of Medora St and Armstrong Point Rd in Port Carling when they had a close call. At 1:30 am, officers heard a crash and turned to see two vehicles careening towards them out of control.

Local man perishes in boat accident

GRAVENHURST — Police continue to investigate


July 28 

No charges stemming from Lake Muskoka accident

LAKE MUSKOKA
The accident involved a 21-foot Ocean Fisher with a 150 hp motor with one occupant, said police, and a 16-foot Peterborough boat with an 18 hp motor and two occupants.

Youngster driving: near waterskiers

PWC screams around

Crazy times in Kemptville

We have had a whirlwind tour of S.E. Ontario. Lots going on, many weird and wonderful people.
The agents we have been working with (we are on #4, in 4 separate areas) are fabulous. But people all seem to be in a hurry the farther out they are from the city.

Lots of people on the roads.

Traffic is crazy. So are people!

After a delightful 2-night visit in a B & B in Kemptville (more on that later!) and a final night with cheese and crackers and wine, we left the B & B to move on to another region: Arnprior.

The car was hit and sent flying in the opposite direction.

As we drove down the road we looked up on highway #43 and spotted debris flying. My camera always at the ready, I captured a real mess. The car was headed northerly, and after the truck hit it, she ended up going south.

A young lady pulled out into traffic too soon, and didn't wait to cross the road, when a dump truck went flying into her.

Debris on the road. 

The truck driver managed to swerve to avoid her,  clipping her car, sending her into a 180 spin, while he drove into our lane. We could well have been hit. It was a bit traumatic. At the time the 3 of us who were witnessed, were worrying about the young lady, while the truck driver's hand was bleeding.





Praise the Lord for airbags! She was in shock, and the firefighters and many OPP arrived, as well as an ambulance. The truck driver went running over to see her. I told the young lady to sit down as she was feeling queasy.

The mother of the driver arrived, and then various firefighters, as well as OPP. We were relieved. Let the pros do their jobs.

Every one kept on driving speedily by!

EMS crews in Ontario are fabulous. What a great team.

Then the pros began to arrive.

Joe (AKA hubby, Brian- long story),  loaned his vest to a man who began directing the fast, heavy traffic.

Spit spot, clean up began.

The traffic is amazing east of Kemptville

Hooray for the OPP.

Scary on the roads

What is it about driving in Cottage Country?  know I have complained about the lakes, but the traffic is amazing on the roads.

People do the stupidest things. Is it the wider roads that lull them into a sense of security?

I saw a woman signaling to pull out - I was shocked. A signal. In Port Carling. Someone actually broadcasting their intention to pull out into traffic, instead of squeezing themselves between you and the Mercedez in front of you.
I stopped, and waved her out.

I knew it was too good to be true. This important person did a U-turn in the middle of the afternoon, in the middle of the street, while traffic piled up behind me. The roads in Port Carling are delightful. Lots of wide spaces for parking. Now that the construction is over, things are looking up.



In summer, this is THE place to find Vanity Plates. It has to be the capital of Vanity Plates...and I have collected a few here and there.

But the traffic in this town...often you will see a group biking. I think they are nuts!

The way people drive in town...they risk their lives.

OK, not so much how they drive, but where they park.

The dude in the SUV had an important missions in, yes, you said it, the Apothecary Shop. Good thing we have great pharmacists there. I need some headache tablets.

Now, we had a meeting in the library, but we took the time to park behind. This guy didn't seem to care that he was blocking a driveway for public parking. (Can you hum a few bars of Ironic - by Alannis Morrisette?)

This chickie (right) was parked in front of the Apothecary Shop, then she backed up, as the truck insisted in pushing her backwards so that he could park legally.

It seems to be a pattern. Important people with important mail to pick up. They do not have the time to park behind the library, in the large parking spot, or time to park in the right direction!

This person with a roof rack pulled right in front of us just as we were leaving the parking spot, meaning we had to back up in order to pull out onto the street. 

This guy was parked in the exit for the parking lot. Just for a minute, mind you. Other people can wait. 

Poor parking skills, or disrespect for others, is not limited to Port Carling.

We visited the Cranberry Bog/Muskoka Lakes Winery. Now, they have acres of land, and parking that accommodates busloads in peak season (Cranfest). If you've been there, you know what I mean.

Yet, this person parked behind out car, while Brian was sitting in the car and I was in buying a bottle of my favourite (blueberry). In front of our car was a pile of sand, beside us was a couple in a car getting ready for a trip, with maps in hand. Brian could not navigate his way out and we had to ask the couple to move their car.

And then there is Gravenhurst.

Boston Pizza was pretty busy that day. There were cars parked right from there up to the Tea Shop.

He pulled a left turn at the light, the stopped abruptly, got out of the car and was waving a piece of paper in his hand walked towards the building.  I leaped out of the car, to my hubby's disgust, and too a photo.

His passenger, after we honked, opened her door and yelled, "Pull around!"

We could have, if a car wasn't coming the other way towards both of us. In addition, there was a car behind us. Stuck in the intersection on highway #169. Good drivers look around them. They respect others. They appreciate that they are not the only ones on the road.

This guy had just moved back behind the truck while hoping to pass. Too bad, we were in the way, as well as a half dozen other cars.

Of course, the double yellow lines are only a suggestion. Only chumps stay inside the lines!

This guy couldn't wait while we made our turn. Obviously late for something.

Muskoka area news

Terrible tragedies.

(Photo used with permission: Jeremy Rupke. He has some amazing shots. The full story: at Huntsville Forester. Although Jeremy's blog posts tell the personal story.
No one hurt in Empire fire

Residents of the Empire Hotel have homes for the weekend. The Salvation Army has secured hotels for some residents and the rest are staying with family or friends.

There were 120 firefighters involved, the Huntsville Forester reports.  With 50 apartments, and businesses in the building it is devastating to this small town. The tragedy doesn't seem to have hit any other media yet!
My blog buddy, Jeremy, took some fabulous shots. Visit his blog for more photos. Donations for those families without insurance are being sent to the Salvation Army and Legion in Huntsville.

In person at the Salvation Army – The Salvation army is accepting donations in the form of clothing and furniture. 
In person at the Legion – The Legion is accepting clothing, furniture and monetary donations. Everything given will go directly to the people affected by the fire.

You can also donate through CanadaHelps.org to Huntsville Salvation Army!

The very sad news was that a small plane flying from Kingston to Sudbury went down in Algonquin Park on Saturday, Oct. 10th. Another tragedy for this region.

The poor rescue crews were unable to access the site except by helicopter, as there are no roads.

They were out a 3:30 a.m., doing the recovery, bless them all.
The victims were identified Sunday as Kevin Houle, 50, his wife Lorraine, 50, their daughter Emily, 17, all from Sudbury, and Emily's boyfriend Michael Rollins, 17, from nearby Garson.

I once took a small plane ride, but with the recent deaths I know I will never ride in a small plane again. They are too susceptable to pilot error and/or weather. Around here the winds can be wicked, as in many parts of Canada. We often see them flying over head, and when they take off, just about touch the tops of the trees. Not my kind of a fun trip.

Four die in Ontario plane crash

A family of three and a friend from Sudbury, Ont. killed when their small plane crashed in Algonquin Provincial Park.

4 die in Algonquin Park plane crash

The small plane, a Piper PA28, left Kingston and was supposed to land in Sudbury at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. When the plane failed to arrive, relatives of the daughter's boyfriend grew worried and called police. Provincial police in North Bay received a call from Sudbury police around 10:30 p.m. inquiring about a downed plane in the area, Dionne said.