Wednesday, June 24, 2009

HEAT WAVE HARD ON TIRE AND DRIVERS!

(East Algoma – Blind River, Elliot Lake, Thessalon) – As mid-summer heat waves descend, drivers should ensure that they have adequately prepared their vehicles, and themselves.

There are more tire problems in hot weather than any other time of year. The main cause of tire failure is excessive heat. Tires lose air due to punctures, leaky valves, corroded wheels, age, and impact, and as a result, air pressure is lowered.

It is important that drivers regularly inspect tires visually, and check that inflation pressures are maintained to manufacturer’s specification. Tire pressures must be checked with a gauge when the tire is cold. You can’t guess the pressure by appearance.

Do not over-inflate tires in an attempt to increase fuel mileage. This greatly reduces the tire contact with the road, increases stopping distance, and can contribute to loss of control in turns and lane changes. Ultimately, over-inflation can cause a tire to fail.

Car trouble is inconvenient in your driveway, but is potentially life threatening on a busy highway. Drivers should regularly check rubber belts, hoses, and fluid levels, but never remove a pressurized coolant cap on a hot engine.

Make sure your own fluid levels are up too. Keep hydrated, and always have some bottled water with you. In winter, keep appropriate clothing/supplies with you, jut in case. During the summer, bring protection from the elements: sunscreen, hats, umbrella, and raincoats.

As the temperatures rise, so does driver frustration. Always keep your cool and avoid aggressive driving behaviour. If you witness reckless driving, do not retaliate. If you can do so safely, pullover and call police and provide a vehicle description, or have a passenger make the call for you.

CRIMESTOPPERS TIPS CAN BE TEXTED

(Elliot Lake, Ontario) The OPP and Sudbury Rainbow Crimestoppers want to advise the public that TIPS can be sent to Crimestoppers by using text messaging.

To send an anonymous text tip to Crimestoppers, key in the code TIP267 plus your tip information and send it to CRIMES.

Text messaging also allows for two-way communication, so that our coordinators can clarify any of the information provided.

A demonstration of how to send Crimestoppers a text tip can be found at Sudbury Crimestoppers.com under the TEXT a Tip link.

All text tips are anonymous.

Anyone with information regarding any criminal activities is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

BOAT, MOTOR AND TRAILER STOLEN

(Tarbutt Township, ON.) – On June 20, 2009 at approximately 3:00 p.m. the East Algoma Thessalon OPP received a complaint regarding a theft of a boat, motor and trailer from a residence on Range Lights Road, Tarbutt Township, Ontario.

The theft occurred sometime between June 14, 2009 and June 20, 2009.

The stolen items are described as:

1987 Blue and White Well craft Powerboat 18 foot – Licence #OH3120ZF
1987 - 90 hp Johnson Outboard Motor
1990 White Easy load Trailer – Licence #RC95DR

The value of the stolen property is $2500.00 U.S.

BREAK AND ENTER ON LOON LAKE

(Highway 129, Kirkwood Township, ON.) – On June 20, 2009 a break and enter on Loon Lake in Kirkwood Township was reported to the East Algoma Thessalon OPP.

The break and enter occurred sometime between June 13 – 20, 2009.

Stolen items include 2 lifejackets, 2 fishing rods, 2 tackle boxes and a fillet knife. The value is estimated at $150.00.

MOTORCYCLIST INJURED –DRIVER FAILS TO REMAIN

(Aweres Twp., ON) - Sault Ste. Marie OPP officers were called to the scene of a motor vehicle collision on Highway 17 in Aweres Township yesterday evening at approximately 9:30 p.m.

A motorcyclist was travelling southbound on Highway 17 near the Searchmont turnoff when a small dark blue car passed him also travelling southbound. After the vehicle passed it pulled back into the lane and the right rear side of the car struck the front wheel of the motorcycle causing the driver of the motorcycle to loose control and be thrown from motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, a 58 year old male, was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

If anyone has information with regards to this collision they are asked to contact the Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

JOINT PATROLS ON THE GOULAIS RIVER

(Fenwick Twp., ON) – Joint enforcement patrols were conducted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Highway Safety Division of the Ontario Provincial Police on the Goulais River.

Five charges were laid under the Fisheries Act, one charge was laid under the Small Vessel Regulation Act, and 1 charge was laid under the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario.