Police remind boaters to be diligent, safe over Victoria Day weekend
It may not be as warm as some people would like, but the temperature likely won't stop thousands of people from hitting Lake Simcoe this long weekend.
As such, police are reminding boaters to be extra diligent for the unofficial start of the summer.
"Fishermen have been out since the ice left, but I think we're going to see some pleasure craft operators coming out this weekend," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Busby with the York Regional Police Marine Unit. " If you were to place the city of Toronto on Lake Simcoe, it's an island, so it is a very, very big body of water. The water can kick up the waves quite quickly, the wind picks up quickly, and I think sometimes people just don t realize just how dangerous Lake Simcoe can be."
Staff Sgt. Busby reminds people the water temperature is only about nine degrees.
The marine unit has posted new signs for anyone near the water this summer. With 40% of fatal crashes involving boats connected to impaired boating, the police and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are working together to educate people on the water.
A photo of a sign that York Regional Police will be displaying across Lake Simcoe this weekend, taken on Thurs., May 18 (Rob Cooper/CTV News)."They should be aware that the criminal code is the same, so if you're nailed with impaired driving a boat, you are an impaired driver," said Cathy Mitchell, MADD York Region. "So you do lose your licence, and you face all of those same infractions that the criminal code faces."
MADD reminds people one person is killed and four people are injured by an impaired driver every day in Canada. Police remind people they will be out on the water and checking to ensure everyone has their proper safety gear.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING Dianne Feinstein, longest-serving female U.S. senator in history, dies at 90
Dianne Feinstein, whose three decades in the Senate made her the longest-serving female U.S. senator in history, has died, according to a source familiar.
Some hospitals are bringing back masking - and the general public should consider it this fall too, experts say
Some hospitals are instigating stricter masking rules again amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases, and although we’ve probably seen the end of broad masking mandates, some experts say the general public should also be making more use of this tool in our arsenal of measures to fight illness.
Authorities dispatched to Britney Spears' home over video showing singer dancing with knives
Officials were called to the southern California home of Britney Spears on Wednesday to conduct a wellness check after the singer posted a video on social media depicting her dancing with knives.
In defiance of judge, Sask. premier to force school pronoun rules into law
In defiance of a King's Bench ruling, Saskatchewan's premier plans to force a controversial school pronoun policy into law.
Thriving NFL benefits most from Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce relationship
The NFL didn't need a popularity boost before Travis Kelce became enchanted with Taylor Swift. They'll gladly welcome millions of Swifties to watch this love story unfold.
Rotterdam hospital official says questions were raised over alleged gunman's mental state
A medical student accused of killing three people in shootings at an apartment and a hospital in the Dutch city of Rotterdam had been undergoing psychological examinations to establish whether he was mentally fit to become a doctor, a hospital official said Friday.
Putin orders former Wagner commander to take charge of 'volunteer units' in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered one of the top commanders of the Wagner military contractor to take charge of 'volunteer units' fighting in Ukraine, signalling the Kremlin's effort to keep using the mercenaries after the death of their chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Military police under investigation over handling of sexual assault case
The Military Police Complaints Commission is investigating the way officers handled allegations of sexual assault against a soldier who took his own life, the commission announced Thursday.
Dozens dead after blast in southwestern Pakistan at a rally celebrating birthday of Islam's prophet
A powerful bomb exploded near a mosque at a rally celebrating the birthday of Islam's Prophet Muhammad in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least 52 people and injuring nearly 70 others, police and a government official said.