The OPP are kicking off a safety blitz ahead of the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Police are teaming up with forces from across the country to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal driving.
Offciers will be highly visible on the highways this weekend looking for what they call “The Big 4″: impaired, distracted, aggressive driving and lack of seatbelts.
Speeding and distracted driving lead in road-related deaths investigated by OPP. As of October 5, 2014 speed was a factor in 51 of the 168 deaths and distracted driving is in second place with 45 deaths.
This is what OPP put in their news release:
“In support of Operation Impact, the OPP will be counting on motorists to take great care in the way they drive over the long weekend. They are also asking passengers to take care of their own safety and to speak up when in a vehicle with a driver who endangers their lives through any of these driving behaviours.”
On a positive note, road deaths associated with impaired driving, distracted driving and lack of occupant restraint, as well as marine and trail fatalities are all down from last year (2013).
Agencies/Canadajournal