Get ready for a powerful message from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) emphasizing the importance of safe driving before the Victoria Day long weekend. Each year, a disturbing number of road fatalities can be attributed to reckless behaviors such as aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, and driving while fatigued. The OPP wants motorists to understand the devastating consequences that await them if they choose to disregard safety measures.
In 2022 alone, there were 359 fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads, marking the highest number of deaths in 16 years. This concerning trend must be reversed, according to Sgt. Kerry Schmidt of the Highway Safety Division. He highlights the direct impact of drivers’ decisions on their safety, their passengers’ safety, and other road users’ well-being.
To address these risks, the OPP, in collaboration with municipal police forces, will closely monitor high-risk driving behaviors, including speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and failure to wear seatbelts, during Canada Road Safety Week. Boaters can also expect an increased police presence on waterways, as the OPP marine unit ensures compliance with vessel regulations.
Failure to buckle up remains a significant factor contributing to fatalities each year. Before and throughout the Victoria Day long weekend, the OPP will work alongside other Canadian police partners to target all forms of careless and dangerous driving and non-compliance with seatbelt use. By taking responsibility for their actions on the road, drivers and passengers become vital partners in making Canada’s roads the safest in the world.
The OPP emphasizes that drivers hold a crucial role in these efforts and that every time they take the wheel, they make decisions that can be life-changing. By consistently making smart and safe choices during each road trip, drivers and passengers actively collaborate with law enforcement to create a safer driving environment.
Let’s prioritize safety and make this long weekend free from the tragedy on our roads. Together, we can save lives and set an example for responsible driving.