OPP: LONG WEEKEND RESULTS IN TRAFFIC/MARINE FATALITIES, THOUSANDS OF CHARGES LAID

ORILLIA – It was a tragic Civic Day long weekend on roads, waterways and trails, with the Ontario Provincial Police responding to and investigating eight fatalities.

The fatalities mark the highest number of traffic/marine-related deaths to occur over a long weekend so far this year. Six of those who died were involved in road collisions. One person was killed in an off-road vehicle collision and another individual was killed in a boating incident.

The OPP conducted robust enforcement across the province, laying more than 7,700 charges during their latest provincial traffic safety campaign.

Officers focused on poor driving behaviours that account for a significant number of traffic-related-related deaths every year. These include speeding (4,341 charges), impaired driving (182 charges), distracted driving (43 charges) and drivers (and passengers) who were not buckled up (369 charges). The OPP also laid 131 charges against drivers who failed to comply with Ontario’s Move Over Law.

The OPP reminds the motoring public about the central role they play in reducing the number of lives lost on roads, waterways and trails by being safe, responsible drivers (and passengers) whose number one goal during every trip is to make it to/from their destination safely.