Civic Holiday Long Weekend - Focus on Safety

AURORA, ON, July 28 /CNW/ - This Civic Holiday Long Weekend the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be working to help ensure that motorists and outdoor enthusiasts have a safe holiday. Officers will continue to focus on "the big three" causes of injuries on the roads waterways and trails - aggressive driving, drinking and driving and improper use of seatbelts, restraints and floatation devices.

Aggressive driving includes the offences of speeding, following too closely and unsafe lane changes. Off-road and waterway aggressive driving is defined as speeding too fast for conditions and operating vessels and all-terrain vehicles without due care and attention for other users. These offences are the leading causes of serious crashes and fatalities on Ontario's highways, waterways and trails.

Drinking and driving offences continue to be the leading criminal cause of death in Ontario. Throughout the province, R.I.D.E. programs will be set up to target drivers who disrespect others by drinking and driving. The proper use of seatbelts and child restraints will also be a focus as the OPP continues to see preventable injuries and deaths occurring in collisions where occupants are either not wearing seatbelts or are using them improperly.

OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino reminds motorists that collisions and injuries are preventable. "Motorists and pleasure craft operators must drive according to conditions and obey the laws. It is sad that emergency services personnel continue to need to respond to these tragedies where someone has needlessly lost their life and family members have to deal with that loss just because basic common sense was replaced by reckless behaviour."

OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander for Traffic Safety reminds everyone that incidents aren't limited to our highways but also occur on our waterways and trails. "During the recent Canada Day extra-Long Weekend, 16 people lost their lives on Ontario Highways, trails and waterways. This is why we will be doubling our efforts at enforcement to prevent fatalities this long weekend. Take time to keep each other safe and set a safe example for others. Drive carefully, wear your lifejackets and seatbelts and ask others to do the same."

STAY FOCUSED, STAT ALERT and STAY SAFE.

For further information: Contacts by OPP Region: Highway Safety Division: Sergeant Dave Woodford, Phone: [phone]; Central Region: Sergeant Paulo DiFonte, 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]