Huron County OPP posting emergency road closures on Municipal 511 website

(HURON COUNTY, ON) - The Huron County OPP has enhanced its public communication by adding emergency winter weather-related road closures to the Municipal 511 website, 24 hours per day, seven days per week, as its primary source of emergency road closure information.

Additionally, West Region OPP social media accounts, X (formally known as Twitter), Instagram and Facebook, will be used to provide accurate and timely information to the motoring public.

Effective immediately, the Huron County OPP will be posting emergency road closures due to severe winter weather onto Municipal 511. The intent is to be able to update currently-used map applications on mobile devices, with timely information.

"The utilization of Municipal 511 will allow Huron County OPP to provide live updates on road closures during significant winter events," said staff-sergeant Ryan Olmstead. "This technology enables us to quickly and accurately inform the public when a roadway is closed and re-opened, while showing the exact location on an interactive map. We encourage residents to use Municipal 511 as their primary source of information for winter road closures, ensuring they have the most up-to-date and reliable details to travel safely."

Municipal 511 is a map-based road information service designed to enhance communication among the police, the municipality and the public. This platform will streamline the emergency road closure notification process across Huron County and will include road closure information on all provincial highway, county, and township/municipal roadways that police order to be closed.

When police order a highway or roadway to be closed, it is to ensure:
 

• Orderly movement of traffic
• Prevent injury or damage to people or property
• Permit proper action in an emergency

The public should also be aware of the following offences relating to police road closures:
 

• Disobey officer directing traffic - Section 134(1) of the Highway Traffic Act
• Drive on closed highway - Section 134(3) of the Highway Traffic Act

Both offences are also applicable in community safety zones, where fines are subject to be increased.

The County of Huron, and several of its member municipalities are currently using Municipal 511 for:
 

• Planned capital projects
• Road restrictions
• Public event closures
• Emergency repairs

Residents are encouraged to visit: Municipal511 before travelling for the most up-to-date road closure information within Huron County.

Members of the public can follow Huron County OPP on social media using the following handles:
 

• X: @OPP_WR or @OPP_COMM_WR
• FACEBOOK: @OPPWest
• INSTAGRAM: @opp_west