OPP Provincial Traffic Safety Program - Results Driven!

Motor Vehicle Fatalities Continued to Decrease in 2009

AURORA, ON, Feb. 2 /CNW/ - The success achieved by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) since adopting the Provincial Traffic Safety Program (PTSP) in 2007 has been unprecedented. The PTSP is a proactive, statistically-based approach to traffic safety directed at high-risk behaviours namely, impaired driving, aggressive driving and failure to use occupant restraints. Known as "the big three", these factors continue to represent the major causes of fatalities and serious injuries on OPP patrolled roads and highways.

In 2007, there were 453 traffic fatalities in OPP jurisdictions. In 2008 fatalities were reduced to 322 and in 2009, further reduced to 310. This represents 131 lives saved in 2008 (down 29%) and a further 12 lives saved in 2009 (down 32%) from the base year of 2007. A total of 143 lives have been saved since the OPP implemented the PTSP.

The program has also resulted in an overall reduction in year-over-year collisions and the personal injuries that result from these crashes. In 2007 the OPP investigated 75,272 collisions of which there were 19,823 persons injured. In 2008 the total collisions were reduced to 74,196 (down 1%) in which 16,767 people were injured (down 15%). In 2009, collisions were further reduced to 69,737 (down 6%) with 14,727 personal injuries (down 12%).

A 2007 Transport Canada report estimated the social cost of one traffic fatality at $13.6 million . Based on this report, the success of the OPP Provincial Traffic Safety Program in reducing fatalities has resulted in a social cost savings of over $1.9 billion for Ontarians.

The success of the OPP's PTSP has gained international recognition. In October 2009 , the OPP received two prestigious awards from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in Denver , Colorado. The IACP recognized the PTSP with the Webber Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement, and the Law Enforcement Challenge -- Special Category for its Speed Management Program.

In 2010 the OPP will continue to lead the way in highway safety by targeting as "the big three" causes of injury and death on OPP patrolled roads and highways. This proactive approach to traffic safety will incorporate high visibility, measurable outcomes, robust communication strategies, public education, stakeholder input and community participation with the goal of continuing to build on the successes and results of the OPP Provincial Traffic Safety Program.

QUOTES

"The overall downward trend in the number of senseless fatalities on our highways is a testament to the dedication of our members. The OPP will continue to demonstrate true leadership by incorporating the principles of the Provincial Traffic Safety Program into the core functions of every OPP member and, in the process, save even more lives."

- Julian Fantino (http://www.opp.ca/ecms/index.php?id=22), Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police

"The Provincial Traffic Safety Program has developed strategies that target the causes of traffic collisions. The most effective method of minimizing high-risk driving behaviour has proven to be the presence of a highly visible, engaged traffic officer. We will continue to be proactive in our approach to increasing traffic safety through 2010."

- Larry Beechey (http://www.opp.ca/ecms/index.php?id=30), Deputy Commissioner Traffic Safety and Operational Support

    
    QUICK FACTS

    -  Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury and death to
       people between the ages of 3 and 33.
    -  The OPP ensures traffic safety on roads and highways covering more
       than 922,752 square kilometers of jurisdiction.
    -  The OPP Provincial Traffic Safety Program was unveiled on March 15,
       2007.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
              2009                    2008                    2007
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Total                   Total                   Total
    Fatal- Personal  Colli- Fatal- Personal  Colli- Fatal- Personal  Colli-
    ities  Injuries  sions  ities  Injuries  sions  ities  Injuries  sions

      310   14,727  69,737    322   16,767  74,196    453   19,823  75,272
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------

    LEARN MORE

    -  Transport Canada Report
(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/socialcost.shtml)
    -  Provincial Traffic Safety Program
(http://www.opp.ca/ecms/index.php?id=51)
    -  International Association of Chiefs of Police (http://www.theiacp.org/)

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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]