OPP: Operation Impact geared toward saving lives

ORILLIA, ON, Oct. 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are taking a campaign to reduce unnecessary carnage on Ontario highways up a notch, teaming up with police services from across Canada during the upcoming Thanksgiving long weekend.

Operation Impact is a national traffic initiative to save lives and reduce serious injuries and carnage on our roads through increased public awareness and compliance with traffic safety laws.  This initiative begins Friday, October 5th and runs through Monday, October 8th.

The OPP will continue to focus on impaired driving; aggressive driving; improper or lack of seatbelt use, and distracted driving. What are known as the "Big Four" causal factors continue to be the primary sources contributing to serious injuries and deaths in motor vehicle collisions.

The other part of this national initiative involves OPP officers educating motorists about traffic laws, such as distracted driving and the Move Over legislation.

"Frontline OPP officers and vehicles will be highly-visible throughout the Thanksgiving weekend period, maintaining a 'zero tolerance', targeted enforcement approach toward drivers who place others at risk through bad driving behaviours," says OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis. "We will use all available resources, including OPP aircraft, to do our part to ensure Canada's roads and highways remain among the safest in the world.

"The OPP is committed to the Provincial Traffic Safety Program (PTSP) which focuses on educating drivers to permanently adopt safe driving practices," adds OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support. "There is no doubt the many needless deaths, pain, and heartbreak that result from poor driving habits are preventable. The OPP will continue to lead the way through targeted enforcement and enhancing public education and awareness."

QUICK FACTS:

• 249 people have lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions so far this year on OPP-patrolled roadways.
• 13 people have died in marine-related incidents to date this year in OPP-patrolled waterways.
• Seven (7) people have died in off-road vehicle incidents this year in OPP-patrolled jurisdictions.

LEARN MORE

Operation Impact is endorsed by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and Transport Canada and is part of Road Safety Vision 2010.

For more information visit the following links:

Provincial Traffic Safety Program

Ontario Ministry of Transportation

Canadian Council for Motor Transport Administrators

SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police

Contacts by OPP Region:

Highway Safety Division:
Sergeant Dave Woodford     
Phone: [phone]

Central Region:  
Sergeant Peter Leon   
Phone: [phone]

East Region:   
Sergeant Kristine Rae  
Phone: [phone]

Northeast Region:  
Inspector Mark Andrews         
Phone: [phone]

Northwest Region:  
A/Sergeant Anne McCoy  
Phone: [phone]

West Region:                        
Sergeant Dave Rektor                     
Phone: [phone]