Canada Day Long Weekend - An important enforcement initiative for the OPP

ORILLIA, ON, June 29 /CNW/ - "Motorists travelling the highways and roadways, heading to cottages, camp sites and beaches this Canada Day Long Weekend will do so under the watchful eye of the Ontario Provincial Police," said Commissioner Julian Fantino.

Traditionally, this long weekend is one of the busiest for holiday traffic. Children are out of school and many people take advantage of that to start their summer vacations. The increase in traffic can also lead to the increased possibility of becoming involved in a collision if you aren't careful and not completely focused on your driving.

The OPP will be out in force concentrating throughout the long weekend on aggressive drivers, street racers, those not wearing seatbelts and those motorists who continue to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol. The OPP marine Unit will also be out on the waterways, as well officers will be patrolling the trails to ensure everyone abides by the law.

Last Canada Day Long Weekend there was a total of 8 deaths in Ontario in areas policed by the OPP. Five people died in motor vehicle collisions while there was one death in an ATV incident and two others on our waterways.

Although Canada Day falls on a Thursday this year, it is expected that the public will take the opportunity to turn this holiday into an extra-long weekend and consequently the OPP will continue its stepped up enforcement initiatives from June 30 through to July 4, 2010.

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]; Northwest Region: Sergeant Shelley Garr, Phone: [phone]; West Region: Sergeant Dave Rektor, Phone: [phone]