Busy weekend for police

Summer has just begun — and it’s already proving to be a deadly one on provincial roads and waterways. Police say the number of people killed has doubled compared to the same time last year.

The numbers are alarming. A rash of recent boating incidents has pushed the number of deaths on Ontario waterways to 11 so far this summer and it’s no better on the roads where 113 people have been killed on highways this year. For Hamilton Police this will be a very busy weekend and the busiest day of the year is just around the corner.

Nine of the 11 people who died on the water this year were not wearing a life jacket. And police say even if you’re wearing a personal flotation device it must fit properly.

“We ask people, ‘Where are your life jackets?” and they showed us all adult life jackets even though there were kids on board,” said const. Marty Bushell of the Hamilton Police marine unit. “Having a proper fitting life jacket is very important and it’s not going to work if you don’t wear it.”

Bushell says having an emergency on the water is much more dangerous than on land.

“EMS and police are not five minutes away on the water. People really need to take that into account every time you step on the water. You need to be prepared because you might be your only help out there,” said Bushell.

The roads have also been deadly this year. Of the 113 people killed, speed and distracted driving were a factor in many of those deaths. Police are asking drivers to slow down and pay attention this holiday weekend.

The marine unit also says they’ve noticed many of the boats here on the water do not have proper flares on board and if you run into trouble at night you will need one. They say not all flares are created equal. The more expensive ones last longer and have a better range.