Amid Canada Road Safety Week, police are urging motorists to make better choices behind the wheel after 382 people were killed on OPP-patrolled roads last year.
And of those 382 people killed, police said the majority had their lives cut short because of poor and careless actions behind the wheel and in passenger seats.
Meanwhile, already this year, OPP has responded to 86 fatal collisions, resulting in 99 people losing their lives.
Canada Road Safety Week is led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police traffic safety committee and is marked from May 13 to 19.
In 2024, there were 344 fatal collisions recorded on OPP-patrolled roads – 95 fatalities were attributed to speed and 80 deaths involved an inattentive driver, said OPP.
Another 53 of the reported fatalities were linked to alcohol consumption and/or drug use, and 60 drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts died.
What’s more, police said 57 motorcyclists were killed in 2024 – this is the highest number recorded in two decades. OPP noted that 18 of the motorcyclists were not the at-fault drivers.
Thirty-five pedestrians and 12 cyclists were also among those who lost their lives – again, many died through no fault of their own, stressed police.
During Canada Road Safety Week, OPP is joining policing partners nationwide for one of the most robust traffic enforcement and public education campaigns of the year, reads a recent release.
Police are calling on all road users to do their part, saying responsible actions go a long way in preventing fatalities and injuries and helping all to arrive home safely to their families.
“Please do your part to help everyone get to and from their destinations safely every time you head out on the road,” stressed police.
Ahead of the Victoria Day long-weekend, OPP is also thanking all drivers, passengers, cyclists, off-roaders, boaters and paddlers who help keep themselves and others safe in advance.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
