RCMP in Fond-Du-Lac and Stony Rapids are reminding community members that Lake Athabasca is not safe to drive on yet.
In the past two weeks, officers have had to conduct four rescues. Often these drivers and their passengers are not dressed for the conditions.
People caught driving on the road may be faced with criminal charges.
“There are some charges we are looking at,” says Fond-Du-Lac RCMP Sergeant Lisa Molle. “One of them would be dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and that would be by negligence. Failing to take into consideration the environment around you, looking into how bad the weather is and looking at the temperature.”
She adds that it is wise to let someone know where and when a driver will be hitting the ice road once it opens, as cell phone reception can be intermittent.
“We just want to make sure our people are safe,” says Molle. “We do understand that people will be out driving on the road, but exercise caution and ensure that somebody knows where they are going and when they are expected.”
For those who are using a snowmobile on the ice, Molle says it might be a good idea to find a snowmobile suit with a built in flotation device.
There are people in the communities that have been contracted through the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure that have special equipment to test the ice.
The ice road usually opens a couple of weeks into January.
(Photo: A freezing lake from 15,000 feet. Photo by Katrina Cameron)