Canada Day extra-long weekend on OPP patrolled roads, trails and waterways

ORILLIA, ON, July 5 /CNW/ - A total of 16 people died on roads, trails and waterways patrolled by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) this past Canada Day long weekend. A total of 10 fatal highway collisions took the lives of 12 people while two persons died in marine incidents and two people died in All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) crashes.

"It was a long weekend that ended in tragedy for many, despite our increased enforcement and continued efforts to educate the public about safe driving, boating and the use of trails," said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino. "Despite the results of this past weekend, Ontario's roads, waterways and trails are among the safest in North America and we will continue on our mission to ensure they stay that way."

Through the July long weekend, OPP officers laid a total of 7,122 charges. Speeding offences accounted for 4,318 charges - 80 of which were for street racing. OPP officers laid 91 charges for drivers that were impaired or over 80 mgs and issued 85 administrative drivers license suspensions. Marine offences accounted for 108 charges and ATV offences accounted for 45 of the charges laid.

"The majority of these tragedies were preventable including three people who were killed as a direct result of not wearing a seat belt. Four of the fatal collisions involved alcohol and three fatal collisions were as a result of driving too fast. In addition the two drowning victims were reportedly not wearing lifejackets," said Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey.

"All of these areas have been targeted for enforcement and education but continue to cause serious death or injury due to non-compliance. We want people to fully enjoy their vacations and travels but they must take steps to ensure their safety, the safety of their passengers and all of the other people using the highways, trails and waterways," added Beechey.

For further information: Contacts by OPP Region: Highway Safety Division: Sergeant Dave Woodford, Phone: [phone]; Central Region: Constable Peter Leon, Phone: [phone]; East Region: Sergeant Kristine Rae, Phone: [phone]; Northeast Region: Inspector Mark Andrews, Phone: [phone]; Northwest Region: Sergeant Shelley Garr, Phone: [phone]; West Region: Sergeant Dave Rektor, Phone: [phone]