This Civic Holiday Long Weekend the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be working
to help ensure that motorists and outdoor enthusiasts have a safe holiday. Officers
will continue to focus on "the big three" causes of injuries on the roads waterways
and trails: aggressive driving, drinking and driving, and improper use of seatbelts,
restraints and floatation devices.
Aggressive driving includes the offences of speeding, following to closely and unsafe
lane changes. Off-road and waterway aggressive driving is defined as speeding too
fast for conditions and operating vessels and all-terrain vehicles without due care
and attention for other users. These offences are the leading causes of serious
crashes and fatalities on Ontario's highways, waterways and trails.
Drinking and driving offences continue to be the leading criminal cause of death
in Ontario. Throughout the province, R.I.D.E. programs will be set up to target
drivers who disrespect others by drinking and driving. The proper use of seatbelts
and child restraints will also be a focus as the OPP continues to see preventable
injuries and deaths occurring in collisions where occupants are either not wearing
seatbelts or are using them improperly.
OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino reminds motorists that collisions and injuries are
preventable. "Motorists and pleasure craft operators must drive according to conditions
and obey the laws. It is sad that emergency services personnel continue to need
to respond to these tragedies where someone has needlessly lost their life and family
members have to deal with that loss just because basic common sense was replaced
by reckless behaviour."
OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander for Traffic Safety,
reminds everyone that incidents aren't limited to our highways but also occur on
our waterways and trails. "During the recent Canada Day extra-Long Weekend, 16 people
lost their lives on Ontario Highways, trails and waterways. This is why we will
be doubling our efforts at enforcement to prevent fatalities this long weekend.
Take time to keep each other safe and set a safe example for others. Drive carefully,
wear your lifejackets and seatbelts and ask others to do the same."
STAY FOCUSED, STAT ALERT and STAY SAFE.
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