OPP stepping up use of Twitter to get messages out

A smartphone display shows the Twitter logo in Berlin, Germany on Feb. 2, 2013. (AP / Soeren Stache)

ORILLIA, Ont. - Provincial police say they are stepping up their use of social media like Twitter to get more information out quickly to the public.

Many OPP officers and detachments are already using Twitter but the force says it will now have staff designated for the task in its provincial communications centres.

They will now be sending "time-sensitive" information to the public via Twitter -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Tweets will cover weather emergencies, hazardous conditions, missing persons, road closures and other public safety updates.

The move coincides with the Thanksgiving Day long weekend and the launch of Operation Impact, a national road safety enforcement and education campaign.

The OPP is reminding motorists to keep their full concentration on their driving and to avoid all distractions.

In southwestern Ontario you can follow area OPP at @OPP_COMM_WR and the Highway Safety Division at @OPP_GTATraffic.