Dozens of charges laid in cottage country over long weekend: OPP
· Toronto Sun
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Ontario Provincial Police said 42 charges were laid during its marine and off-road vehicle patrols in cottage country over the civic holiday long weekend.
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Alcohol-related offences and life-jacket/personal flotation device (PFD) violations accounted for more than half of all charges laid during its enforcement campaign between July 29 and Sunday, the OPP said Wednesday in a news release.
Leading the charges were 14 for Liquor Licence and Control Act violations and eight for failing to carry or wear a life-jacket/PFD.
“A life-jacket only works if you’re wearing it,” the OPP said.
Warnings, licence suspensions issued
It also warned boaters against operating vessels while drinking, reminding them, “The consequences of operating a vessel while impaired are the same as those for impaired driving on Ontario highways and can result in criminal charges, licence suspensions and other significant penalties.
“Your driver’s licence can be impacted whether you are operating a boat, vehicle, snowmobile or ATV,” the OPP added.
Other charges include: Six for Canada Shipping Act violations; five for Highway Traffic Act violations; three for Off-Road Vehicles Act helmet violations; two charges each for towing a person without a spotter and for fishing without a licence; and one charge each for permitting operation of a vessel without a pleasure craft operator card and a hand-held communication device offence.
The OPP said officers also issued 56 warnings and two seven-day driver’s licence suspensions as part of impaired operation investigations.
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Enforcement to continue throughout summer
It said patrols over the long weekend took place in Algonquin Park and on Georgian Bay, Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph, Little Lake Joseph, Lake Dalrymple, Sparrow Lake, Pigeon Lake, Buckhorn Lake, Shadow Lake, the Otonabee River and Rice Lake.
Officers also patrolled waterways and trails in the Huntsville, Bracebridge, Collingwood, Huronia West, Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton, Southern Georgian Bay and Orillia areas.
The OPP said enforcement efforts will continue throughout the summer.