The OPP and District of Muskoka asking for public help in creating a safe roads campaign

Road safety continues to be a top priority for the District of Muskoka and local OPP detachments. Three more community forums are being hosted next month to help plan a Muskoka Safe Roads public education campaign. This is on top of the forum held in Bracebridge this month, which around 50 people attended. Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works for the District of Muskoka, Fred Jahn, says that included the Ministry of Transportation, municipal and district councillors, and concerned community members.

District officials say the campaign is to start an on-going dialogue with the community on the topic, which is important to everyone who lives here or visits the area. The goal is to hear from residents on road safety and learn about other successful public education campaigns.

Bracebridge OPP Detachment Commander Brian Therrien says the police look forward to continuing the conversation across Muskoka to learn more about the challenges each community faces, and to come up with more ideas for the campaign. He says enforcement and regulations are just part of the solution, with public education and changing behavior the bigger aspect. Huntsville OPP Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant John-Paul Graham, echoes those thoughts saying they are looking for community-based solutions that will help motivate drivers to slow down, share the road, and be safe. He says working together will help encourage drivers across Muskoka to make good choices behind the wheel.

District officials say some of the biggest issues across Muskoka, linked to OPP data and public input from the Bracebridge forum, are speeding and aggressive driving, as well as distracted and impaired driving. Sharing the road with emergency vehicles, construction safety, animal collisions, and pedestrian/cyclist safety also top the list.

If you want to attend any of the following community forums, the district asks you RSVP to [email protected].

• Gravenhurst: Wednesday, April 11, 6:30-8:00 p.m.  Terry Fox Auditorium, Centennial Centre
• Huntsville: Thursday, April 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m.   Active Living Centre, Canada Summit Centre
• West Muskoka: Wednesday, April 25, 6:30-8:00 p.m.  MacTier Memorial Arena, 9 Haig Street, MacTier

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Community stakeholders come together to brainstorm ways to create safer roads in Muskoka