Operation Lifesaver and itspartners will launch their2011 National Public-RailSafety Week on May 2 tohelp reduce crossing colli-sions and trespassing inci-dents along Canada's rail-ways in communit iesacross the country."We have made significantprogress in lowering thenumber of highway/railwaycrossing col l isions andtrespassing incidents sincewe started this initiative 30years ago," said OperationLifesaver National DirectorDan Di Tota. "However,

we need to be vigilant andcontinue to raise awarenessof public- rai l safety inCanada through educationcampaigns like OperationLifesaver."There were 79 fatalities and47 serious injuries involv-ing the public along therailway tracks in Canada in2010. Of these manyinvolved crossing colli-sions and trespasser inci-dents on railway property.Virtually all were avoidablewith due caution."Clearly, trying to race atrain to a crossing or taking

a shortcut through a work-ing rai l yard is not anoption," Di Tota continued.Railway crossing safety hasbeen a key focus in Canadaover the past thirty years.The rail sector has beenworking with governmentson reducing fatalities andinjuries, part icularly atgrade crossings or whentrespassing occurs. InCanada, the focus has beenon grade crossing upgradesto improve crossing safetyand education, reaching outto communit ies andimproving safety measures.An average of 1,100 pas-senger and goods t rains

operate in Canada every dayover some of the world'smost rugged terrain and insome of the worst weatherconditions. With the assis-tance of public safety ini-tiatives such as OperationLifesaver, Canadian rai lprovides the safest meansof ground transportation.Despite increased vehicleregistrations, railway trafficand urban sprawl encroach-ing on traditional rail rightof way, analysis of theoverall safety record acrossNorth America reveals therewere 12.9 accidents permil l ion train miles inCanada in 2010, down over

80 percent from the year2000 (as measured by theTransportat ion SafetyBoard of Canada -- TSB).Operation Lifesaver is anational public-rail safetyprogram sponsored byTransport Canada and themembers if the RailwayAssociation of Canada. Theprogram works in partner-ship with provincial safetycouncils, police, unions,rai lways, the t ruckingindustry, and communitygroups. Operation Lifesaverprogram has an excellenttrack record and has helpedto reduce crossing colli-sions and trespasser inci-

dents by some 60 per centsince Operation Lifesaver'sintroduction to Canada in1981.Operation Lifesaver RailSafety Week runs May 2-8,and will include numerouslocal events and activitiesacross Canada includingcrossing blitzes, mock col-lisions, broadcast of publicservice announcements,presentations by volunteersin schools, mall displays,media interviews, confer-ences and speeches to com-munity groups.

2 - Ignace Driftwood, April 20, 2011

Talk to your kidsabout spring safety

With spring conditions we find more kids walking,skate boarding or riding bikes to school. Members ofyour local OPP detachment encourage parents to take afew minutes this weekend and talk to our youth.Walking to school:* Walk on the sidewalks.* If no sidewalks, walk on the side of the roadway

facing traffic flow.* Remember not to talk to strangers. If approached, tell

a parent or teacher.When riding your bike:* While on the roadway ride with traffic flow.* If you’re under 18 years you MUST wear a helmet.* Only one person on the bike.Skate boarders:* Respect people walking on the sidewalks.* Do not skateboard in the middle of the roadways.* Helmets are always a safe option.

Together we can keep our community safe!

Two Ontario residents have beenfined a total of $4,500 for shooting adeer on posted private land.Tim Gould of Chelmsford and DavidWheadon of Manitouwadge pleadedguilty to trespassing for the purposeof hunting and possessing illegallykilled wildlife. They were fined atotal of $4,500 and each received aone-year hunting suspension.The court heard that on November16, 2010, a witness saw a westboundtruck on Highway 600 stop just eastof Budreau Road in SpohnTownship. One of two men in thetruck shot at a deer on posted privateland. When confronted by the wit-

ness, one of the men initially deniedkilling a deer. However, the secondman was found hiding in the roadsideditch with the dead deer.The incident was reported to the localMinistry of Natural Resources.Following an investigation, conser-vation officers found the two men ata nearby hunt camp. The deer wasseized and forfeited to the Crown.Justice of the Peace Pat Clysdale-Cornell heard the case in the OntarioCourt of Justice, Fort Frances, onApril 8, 2011.The ministry reminds hunters that itis illegal to shoot from, down oracross a public road. Hunters in

northwestern Ontario should be awareof regulat ion changes regardingfirearms and roadways. For furtherinformation on hunting regulations,please consult the 2010-2011 Hunt-ing Regulations Summary, availableat ServiceOntario/Government Infor-mation Centres, from licence issuersand at ontario.ca/hunting.

To report a natural resources viola-tion, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contactyour local ministry office during reg-ular business hours. You can alsocall Crime Stoppers anonymously at1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

$4,500 fine for shooting deer on private property

An Ontario resident has been con-victed under the Endangered SpeciesAct for illegally shooting two wood-land caribou.Ciriaco Cautillo of Etobicoke plead-ed guilty and was fined $3,000 forshooting two woodland caribou,which he mistook for moose, whilehunting in the Red Lake area.The court heard that on October 9,2010, Cautillo was moose huntingwith friends, west of Red Lake. He

shot and ki l led a bul l and cowwoodland caribou, mistaking themfor a bull and cow moose. Once herealized the mistake, Cautillo and hisparty immediately reported it to theMinistry of Natural Resources.The investigating officer found nofactors to account for Cautillo’serror. The investigation showed thathe had a clear and unobstructed viewof both caribou as they crossed anopen meadow.

In determining the penalty, the courttook into account Cautillo’s imme-diate self-reporting and his coopera-tion with the investigating officer.Woodland caribou are designated as athreatened species in Ontario.Just ice of the Peace Roger C.McCraw Jr. heard the case in theOntario Court of Justice, Red Lake,on April 5, 2011.

$3,000 fine for shooting woodland caribou

Operation LifesaverPublic-Rail SafetyWeek is May 2-8The Railway Association Of Canada