As police gear up for enhanced enforcement ahead of the May long-weekend and during Canada Road Safety Week, OPP is calling on motorists do better behind the wheel.
Speeding, alcohol and drug impairment, driver inattention and lack of occupant restraint were linked to a significant number of last year’s 344 fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads. And while the number of OPP-investigated road deaths varies from year-to-year, these leading causes and contributing factors do not, explained police.
“Every year, the death toll comes down to the same threat posed by the motoring public: How drivers and passengers choose to travel on our roadways,” said police.
Heading into the Victoria Day long-weekend, police added this is one of the busiest weekends on roads – and they’re calling on everyone to remember that every person travelling with or near you stands to pay the price when you choose to take risks behind the wheel, as do their families.
“If you are a passenger, don’t let your family pay the price because you chose not to buckle up.”
For the annual Canada Road Safety Week campaign, services like OPP are conducting robust, targeted enforcement and education to address concerns on local roads, stressed OPP.
Police are also asking residents to be aware of increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic with the arrival of the warmer weather.
All drivers play a critical role when it comes to saving lives on the road on more than 130,000 kilometres of roadway patrolled by OPP, police are reminding residents.
OPP is calling on all residents to make it a safe Victoria Day long-weekend.
Canada Road Safety Week is a nation-wide initiative led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police running May 12 to 18.
