With the number of fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads is down from last year, provincial police want to ensure that doesn't change as they kick off Canada Road Safety Week.
Canada Road Safety Week will take place from Tuesday until May 20 and OPP officers will be highly visible in their efforts to keep roads safe.
"Canada Road Safety Week is an effective traffic enforcement initiative, however, it is only part of the solution to saving lives," said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique in a media release. "It is important that everyone take responsibility to ensure safety on our roads. Make a commitment to obey speed limits, wear your seat belt and never drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or while distracted."
So far this year, 58 people have died on provincial roads, which is down from 97 road fatalities this time last year. OPP officials said they are relieved to see a significant decrease in preventable road fatalities, but poor driving behaviours can easily change that.
The OPP said speed, alcohol/drugs, inattentive driving and lack of seat belt use are linked to 45 per cent of the deaths from this year.
Canada Road Safety Week is an annual initiative led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police that is part of Canada's broader Road Safety Strategy.
