Thursday, July 26, 2007

HERE’S WHERE ONE OF OUR TRAFFIC “HOT SPOTS” IS GOING TO BE

(Batchawana, Ont.) People traveling on Hwy 17 in the Batchawana and Pancake Bay area can expect to see an increased OPP presence along that stretch of the Trans Canada Highway starting right now.

Sault Ste Marie OPP, in conjunction with local businesses and members of those communities, have identified this section of the Trans Canada Highway as an area that requires an increase in enforcement activity.

This area encompasses Pancake Bay Provincial Park, Agawa Crafts and the Canadian Carver, the Voyager Cook House and the Hill Top Motel and Restaurant. Along with these businesses there are a number of seasonal trailer parks in that area and the magnificent sand beach of Batchawana Bay bordering the highway.

Business owners and residents in this area have experienced many near misses as well as too many injure and fatal crashes. Drivers traveling on Hwy 17 in the Pancake Bay and Batchawana area are just not paying close enough attention to the potential of people entering and leaving the area businesses and side roads. Along with the traffic problems in that area there is a high number of moose sightings in the section between the two villages called the “Pancake Flats”.

All ready this year four people were taken to hospital after a four vehicle crash in front of the Agawa Crafts and Canadian Carver. In this instance police believe that speed too fast and inattentive driving was a significant factor in that crash.

Drivers should realize that they are entering an area of population and many seasonal businesses. When you see these businesses you should be paying particular attention to anyone entering and leaving the driveways or side roads. Ask yourself if you will be able to stop in time if the person in front of you suddenly decides to turn into one of these driveways.

Officers from the Sault Ste Marie OPP detachment and the OPP Traffic and Marine Unit will be making concentrated patrols of this section of Hwy 17 in an effort to ticket anyone who we see violating any laws. We have now given you fair warning of our intentions.

Now it’s your turn to watch your driving because we will be watch your driving too!!!