Long weekend traffic

UPDATE: (ORILLIA, ON) – OPP is reporting 12 road fatalities, one marine fatality and one off-road vehicle death over the long weekend, marking the deadliest Labour Day Long Weekend in OPP-patrolled jurisdictions in 20 years. Since 2009, OPP officers have investigated more than 600 road deaths that involved an inattentive driver.

1 dead, 3 taken to hospital after overnight crash on Mount Pleasant

3:00 a.m. in Toronto

800 people were charged with distracted driving this long weekend. Texting & driving is the genie out of the bottle. https://t.co/Y5U4384UhI

— Matt Galloway (@mattgallowaycbc) September 7, 2016

As of mid-August, the OPP has investigated 38 road deaths in which an inattentive driver was involved, compared to 19 deaths involving an impaired driver. One northwestern Ontario incident had 4 deaths alone. The latest report tell us that over 8800 drivers have been charged with distracted driving.

OPP say 4 dead in motor vehicle crash near Wawa, Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police say four people are dead and another person in hospital following a single motor vehicle collision near Wawa, Ont. Monday morning.

Posted: Sep 05, 2016 2:38 PM ET 

I hope people are driving safely. Well see how many incidents there are on the roads this weekend. We are glad it's the shoulder season, as the summer traffic slows down, and it is easier to navigate in town.  There are some who could use a driving refresher course. Others who simply need to respect the other drivers. Perth Fair is on, so we shop in Smiths Falls to avoid crazy drivers.

Poor Grampa is off to deliver Meals on Wheels this morning. I hope all goes well. We have the kids visiting and we are watching educational videos safe at home.

The OPP usually provide a summary at the end of the weekend. We shall see. These are the incidents I spotted. I hope you made it home safe.

We came across this scene on our way to the Sundance Festival. (More on that in another post!)

Rideau Ferry Rd. Incident from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
We passed a bit of a mess on Rideau Ferry Rd. No one was hurt, they told me. A truck and trailer must have fish-tailed.

 There were other incidents of people doing stupid things. We approached the red light. Waited.
The advanced green ran its course. Several trucks hauling trailers. Then we got our green. The same distracted driver in front of us.
The car two in front turns left, and the truck and trailer thought he'd cross the intersection and turn left while that was happening. Then, a pedestrian is crossing, they block the entire intersection.
What are these people thinking?


Crazy weekend traffic from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
The drivers were distracted, weaving, talking to passengers. They didn't know where they were going. Trucks and trailers blocking traffic.

Saturday, at the Highway #43 intersection...it shows how much we need a ring road around the town. He came within inches.
There was a car parked on the street and he was hard-pressed to turn.

Sept. 2nd

traffic incident from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Sept. 2nd in Perth. Another incident.
Transport truck Perth from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
This is why Perth needs a ring road. This is a horrible corner.

Thank you to all those who are playing safely

Know the dangers of roads, ice and snow

I'm glad we're near the end of winter. We had a couple inches of snow Wednesday AND Thursday night.
A recent driving incident report from our OPP states that most car incidents (397)  involve men, ages 25 to 34 years old.

Young Ontario men most likely to make fatal driving errors: OPP

Police release statistics that paint picture of death on provincial roads

There have been more than 3,500 deaths on Ontario roads in the last 10 years, and men between the ages of 25 and 34 are most at risk. While the Ontario Provincial Police regularly publishes data on the fatal collisions it investigates, for the first time police have shed light on those who have died as well as those whose actions were factors in their deaths. The 10-year data reveals that twice as many males (2,358) have died in traffic collisions as females (1,146) from 2005 to 2014.  According to police, of those, 310 of the men were drivers and 60 were passengers.

 Now, the danger out there is the melting ice, as well. People can take it for granted. Preserving life is about predicting risks, and taking precautions. We know that teens brains don't let them think twice. This is a sad state of affairs.

Parents of Shawn Lalonde Laframboise 
living near river says it is their son who is the missing 
divers are searching.

Calgary Sun Warmer weather may increase avalanche death toll into spring, said Avalanche Canada Calgary Sun And while the number of deaths this avalanche season is below average, ... “It's three snowmobilers, three backcountry skiers and two ice climbers, ...

From the OPP and Red Cross Know the dangers of ice  

It's that time of year! The ice fishing huts are coming off of the ice, although this week has been colder.

Small plane crashes in Canada

Search for missing downed Cessna pilot continues in Georgian Bay by Norah Fountain

Missing pilot identified as 64-year-old Wilfred Burnside of Owen Sound

 Posted Nov. 9, 2013 4pm: The search continues for the pilot of a Cessna that may have gone down north of Sprat Point in Georgian Bay. Yesterday debris from the plane was found in that area.

2 survive small plane crash in Georgian Bay
CTV News May 25, 2013
PARRY SOUND, Ont. -- Two people survived the crash of their small plane into the waters of Georgian Bay Saturday evening. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre says someone on a nearby sailboat saw the plane ditch and flip upside down. They swam to shore.

Float plane crash in Bute Inlet claims one life
The Province
The coast guard attended the scene to find one individual dead inside the small passenger craft. ...Officials said there are currently no eyewitnesses to the crash and there had been no reports prior to the plane being spotted in the water. Transport ...

Pilot dies in small plane crash in Que. mountains
Toronto Sun May 4th, 2013
MONT LAURIER, Que. -- The pilot of a small plane died Saturday afternoon after a crash in the Laurentian Mountains. Minutes after takeoff from the airport at Mont Laurier, a lakeside town about 240 km northwest of Montreal.

Pilot not injured in crash northwest of Calgary
April 24, 2013
The pilot of a small plane walked away uninjured after the aircraft crashed between Cochrane and Calgary Wednesday afternoon. Cochrane RCMP say the plane — with one person on board — made "an unplanned landing" in a field near Lochend Road off 

Pilot not seriously hurt after plane crashes on Island Lake
Brandon Sun
A small plane was found by Mounties on Island Lake in northeastern Manitoba after the aircraft crashed on Wednesday afternoon. The pilot, the lone occupant, was not seriously injured. Transportation Safety Board of Canada officials continue to investigate.

Small plane crashes in northern Manitoba
CBC.ca Wed., April 3, 2013
A 26-year-old man from Red Deer, Alta., escaped with minor injuries when the small plane he was flying crashed in remote northern Manitoba. RCMP were notified about 3 p.m. Wednesday than an emergency locator transmitter had been activated on Island

There was a plane crash in which two died. I read somewhere that his friend told him that at age 75 he ought not to be flying a plane. 
Their plane did not clear the trees. This looks like wind or pilot error. What a risk he takes. We have seen planes on our lake that barely clear the trees. The wind is unpredictable.

Examples of airplane crashes involving small commuter carriers Canada.com The Transportation Safety Board can take more than two years to issue a full report on an air crash. It currently has 12 investigations open of fatal accidents involving air taxis and three fatal crashes involving small commuter operators.

Danger Overhead Part 1: Transport Canada cuts may endanger small air operators

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Danger...

Thirty-nine seconds after takeoff, the co-pilot of a Beechcraft King Air reported a problem with the right engine to the control tower at the Quebec City airport and said the aircraft was returning to land.

Small plane crashes in Sask., passengers and pilot survive

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Six occupants of a small plane that crashed in southeast Saskatchewan Sunday morning have all survived, the RCMP say. Sgt. Paul Dawson said police received a call shortly after 10 a.m. about the plane crash in a snow-covered, rural field just north of Kisbey, Sask.

Aug 5, 2012 - Uploaded by outdoors2stay

Crash at 2:44. This is unprecedented footage of a small airplane crash from inside the cockpit from two different 
angles.

Ice is dangerous this year: incidents pile up

And another one:

Snowmobiler dies after striking river bank
An Ottawa man died late Saturday, January 21st, after his snowmobile struck a river bank near Quyon in Quebec’s Pontiac region.
Joseph Leafloor, 31, was driving the snowmobile and crashed while attempting a U-turn.
“It will take a couple of weeks before we find out exactly what happened, but we think alcohol and speeding was involved,” said MRC des Collines Sgt. Louis Piche.

Man serious after snowmobile strikes ice hut

A 27-year-old Pakenham man is in serious condition after his snowmobile crashed into an ice fishing hut on Madawaksa Lake early Saturday. Mississippi Mills firefighters went to the rescue.

Snowmobiling with a group of friends, he crashed into the wooden shack shortly after 1 a.m., suffered several broken bones and internal injuries, taken to the Ottawa Hospital Civic campus. He remained in serious condition late Saturday morning but fire officials believe his injuries are not life-threatening.

UPDATE: driver charged

Parry Sound Snowmobiler Charged in Connection With Friend's Death

Rose Point Rd.

Drinking and sledding. Deadly combination.


UPDATE:
Teen's Body Found in Georgian Bay After Snowmobile Incident: The body of an 18-year-old was found at 3 p.m. this afternoon, Tuesday, January 17th.


Search for snowmobiler who went through ice continues near Parry Sound 
Muskoka To-DAILY Monday, January 16
 A couple of 18-year-olds went across the open water around 10 p.m., under a swing bridge in Wasauksing First Nation in the Rose Point Rd. area. The driver managed to climb onto the ice, while the passenger has not yet been found.
Parry Sound First Responders assisted and searched. The OPP Under Water Search and Recovery Unit (USRU) began a search this morning, Jan. 17, 2012.

Jan 13, 2012

Water rescue on Mississippi Lake

by Staff

PERTH - Two men were rescued after falling through the ice on Mississippi Lake Thursday night. (Jan. 12, 2012)

And incidents are not limited to Ontario, with a VERY mild fall/winter...

Ice fisherman fights frostbite after Lake Winnipeg rescue

CBC.ca‎ - 18 hours ago Jan. 12
A man whose truck went through the ice on Lake Winnipeg is dealing with severe ... He and friend Jody Saniuk, 51, were taking part in an ice-fishing derby ...

Play on (in?) the lake begins! Bless our volunteer firefighters

Mississippi Lake, near Carleton Place,
Lanark County

Yes, not the typical summer play, but the winter play ––on not very solid ice!

I say, women, make your spouses sign their wills before leaving. Now, I know many families engage in these activities, but it would be prudent, with the number of young men who nearly drown, to prepare ahead.

BLess our BBDE volunteer firefighters

EMS crews, make them pay for the rescue. Bless our BBDE volunteer firefighters who have to play around the water, too!

Jan 13, 2012

Water rescue on Mississippi Lake

by Staff

PERTH - Two men were rescued after falling through the ice on Mississippi Lake Thursday night. (Jan. 12, 2012)

And incidents are not limited to Ontario, with a VERY mild fall/winter...

Ice fisherman fights frostbite after Lake Winnipeg rescue

CBC.ca‎ - 18 hours ago
A man whose truck went through the ice on Lake Winnipeg is dealing with severe ... He and friend Jody Saniuk, 51, were taking part in an ice-fishing derby ...

Yes, ice fishing, another risky sport in this era of climate change.

See the open water near the ice hut?!

Then there are the ice fishing huts! Legally, they must be registered.


Ice huts must be registered, MNR says
EMC News –To protect the environment and ensure safety, anglers must register new or previously unregistered ice fishing huts on area lakes, notes the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

The huts are quite a hoot.

A family affair

In this case, the owners ought to be liable for not removing them in good time!
OPP warn against people one the ice near bubblers. These bubble to keep docks free of ice!

This one sunk:

Shack is tip of the iceberg

April 13, 2011 A shack from the ice fishing season was not removed off King’s Bay on Mississippi Lake, close to Scotch Corners in Beckwith Township.

I took a walk in the bog, in spring the water is three feet or about a metre deep. Even THAT is not solid!

My soaker in the bog!

On a recent bog trip, I sunk down into water in the middle.

How people think the lakes are solid is beyond me.

The edges are wet under the trees, the middle is wet underneath. We've had such warm temperatures lately.

I took this just before my soakers!

It looks frozen–but it is not!

Another frosty morning, treacherous driving

Jan. 1st snowfall

Jan. 2nd snowfall

I purposefully did not shovel the driveway. I did a great job on the 1st of January, but yesterday, with the odd snow showers, the temperatures hovering around zero C., we drove home to terrible conditions. The highway itself was icy. School is out until next week, and traffic was much less than usual.

 This is nothing like the Lake Effect snow that has attacked those south east of the Great Lakes, but the 2 or 3 cm of snow had frozen onto the warm highway.

A neighbour trying to pull into their road.
When they do not slow down,
and pull out onto the other lane,
folks behind do not know that there is an issue.

Drivers are still not using their heads. One guy was tailgating, and I pulled over to let him pass. Death wish, me, not so much. Cars coming towards me were driving uncharacteristically slower than usual. He didn't seem to notice.

Pick a lane! Look around you!

We left Perth for home and, as I drove, I realized there was a bit of a shine on the asphalt.  Being a former math teacher, I put 2 + 2 together, and promptly pulled over and put both my right wheels onto the shoulder of the road. This gave me a bit more traction. I was 500 m from my driveway, praying for safety!

Another dude in a large pick-up truck cruised up behind me, close enough to examine the contents of my trunk. I put on my turn signal to let him know I was turning left, and needed to slow down. He didn't get the message.


As I turned left across the other lane, he loomed, again, in my rear view mirror. I knew I was beginning a slide and honked the horn in sheer frustration. Idiot. He swerved onto the shoulder, narrowly avoiding me. Praise be.

This kind of attitude; that I'm important, and I can pass you unsafely, people on cell phones, that speed limits are just suggestions, is what causes the ridiculous statistics.

I'm not the only one to notice the needless incidents on rural roads:
Central Ontario
Police Reveal Details Into Highway 69 Crash:  on Highway 69, in Muskoka, that killed four and sent three others to hospital.  

And in Eastern Ontario: Why rural roads are deadly

January 04, 2012

by Kelly Egan, Ottawa Citizen

• Renfrew has 812 kilometres of two-lane roads and 771 are classified rural. 
• Lanark has 565 kilometres
• Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry another 982.  Read more...

The statistics tell the truth: rural vs. urban, afternoon rush hour (not morning), more males than females.

Ontario Road Safety Statistics Report - 2008

Canada: of 2,187 fatal crashes, 1,450 occurred in rural settings.
Deer on the highway, road kill on our corner was about one per week during the summer.

• 574 fatal crashes: 381 were in urban areas and 192 in rural ones. 
• Sunday was the worst day of the week, with 93 fatal crashes, while Thursday was the best (63). 
• worst hour of the day for fatalities was 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Long weekends
• Males in fatal crashes: 715 to 232 females. 

Synopsis

Persons Injured	62,743
Estimated Ontario Population	12,932,297
Licensed Drivers	9,042,286
Registered Motor Vehicles	8,361,021
Estimated Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (in millions)	124,673

Summer, land and water play

Lawn tractor momma

'Mishaps'? Try child neglect.

Two children, woman hospitalized in two separate lawnmower mishaps

Woman airlifted to hospital after lawn mower accident - thestar.com

A woman was airlifted to Toronto and her son was taken to hospital after a lawn tractor accident in Stayner last Sunday afternoon.

This is illegal. They often allow him on the jetski alone

We drove past a place where it looked like a 8-yr-old was driving the lawntractor. At another house we spotted a kid who was on the dad's lap driving. Their property has huge ditches. Pretty scary.

We've also seen youngsters driving jetskiis. The is illegal. These are new summer residents. They also spend hours doing figure 8's in across the frontage, annoying all of the residents, especially their new neighbour who lives in the house my cousin built. Citiots, new to the area, there is not the respect for neighbours that there used to be. The etiquette of cottage life is gone, in favour of speed, parties, illegal bonfires all day, fireworks every night.

They do not know the boating laws.

Cottage Country Reflections: Marine laws

Jul 04, 2009

In most provinces there is a 10 kph speed limit within 30 metres (100 feet) from shore. Fine is $125. Maximum fine is $500 or six months imprisonment. (Canada Shipping Act: Boating Restriction Regulations)

Unfortunately, when OPP Marine Division is called, by the time they get there, get a boat in the water, either the boaters scatter, some run into bays, or they stop their irritating, illegal, dangerous behaviour. It is a huge issue for those who prefer canoes to powerful machines, the sounds of the loon calling, to the screaming and fireworks.

This youngster was hanging onto the side of the boat while waterskiing.

This is illegal. The child cannot be in front, apparently driving.

Following too closely, with youngster driving.

It is truly frightening, as summer begins. A review of drownings, an annual report, find that youngsters drownings have doubled to 13 last year in Ontario. Thirteen young lives cut off in a minute.

Children's drowning deaths spike in Ontario
3 days ago

A review of drowning deaths in Ontario last summer found a "disturbing" spike in the number of deaths involving young children. (2010 Drowning Review - Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario)

A total of 90 drownings last year, and 85% were male. They blame alcohol, inexperienced boaters without lifejackets, people not understanding safety around water.
From 2009 drownings:

"A pair of newly released drowning trend reports, compiling 10 years of research by the Canadian Red Cross, show that boating fatalities make up 39 per cent of drowning victims, and alcohol is a factor in about half of the cases."

Checking for alcohol at the beach

I wonder how much we spend on boating safety, boating regulations, education, and enforcement of safe summer activities?

The Bala Falls drowning garnered a lot of attention, and yet they still swim there.

It is comforting to see the officers patrol at the beach on a summer afternoon. We know what the combination of boating, and/or speed, and alcohol does. There are far too many lakes in cottage country to have them monitored. I think it up to others to call them out. Tough love.
When you see someone acting stupidly, you should speak out. It would have saved someone unfamiliar with the inherent dangers. People unfamiliar with swimming below the Bala Falls or jumping off of the train bridge, for example, watch others swim, and do not realize the undertow. My video has had over 2000 hits from around the world, as families members across the ocean seek to understand the deaths. A-News calls it a 'picturesque' place to visit. But it is deadly.

Summer. Be safe. Be careful. Respect wildlife.