Greater Sudbury Northern Life
Six years ago, Manitoulin OPP, in conjunction with the Manitoulin Injury Prevention Coalition, launched a program called Operation Lookout which encourages motorists to call and report impaired or aggressive drivers.
They do so by dialling *OPP (*677) on their cell phones. The OPP has been able to identify and remove impaired drivers from our highways with the help the motoring public.
“Unfortunately OPP officers can’t be everywhere at once, but with the implementation of Operation Lookout on Manitoulin, we have thousands of eyes watching and reporting aggressive and impaired drivers, helping the police to respond quickly and remove the threat from our highways, making travel safer," said Senior Const. Allan Boyd, in a release.
To assist with this program, Manitoulin Transport had designed and purchased four billboard signs which are erected at the two entrances to Manitoulin Island, one at the Swing Bridge in Little Current, and the second along Highway 6, north of the ferry docks at South Bay Mouth.
The third is located on Highway 551 on the M’Chigeeng First Nation and the forth is located in Gore Bay at the junction of Highway 540 and Highway 542. The signs were erected to show motorists on Manitoulin Island that Operation Lookout is here and to report any incidents to police.
Further to this, the Ministry of Transport have donated 22 additional highways signs which will be distributed to all municipalities and First Nations communities on Manitoulin.
“This is a prime example of police and community working together. Since the partnership with Manitoulin Transport, I know our highways are a safer place to be and look forward to working on future endeavours with them,” Boyd stated.
