OPP Wrap-Up of Victoria Day Long Weekend

ORILLIA, ON, May 25 /CNW/ - Four people were killed in three separate collisions over the Victoria Day long weekend on Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patrolled Highways. There was no boating or ATV fatalities on the waterways or trails.

"There is no doubt that high visibility and extra enforcement on the roads by the OPP contributes to greater road safety," said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino. "There is still a lot of work to do but our goal during these initiatives is to educate people to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads and make the highways safe for everyone."

The OPP laid 5,737 speeding charges over the May long weekend. In addition, officers laid 471 seatbelt charges, 139 impaired driving charges and issued 121 warn range suspensions for registering a warn on the roadside screening device.

Last week, during Canada Road Safety Week in Canada, the OPP laid 181 impaired driving charges and handed out 165 suspensions for registering a warn on the roadside screening device. The OPP laid 76 street racing charges against drivers for travelling 50 km/hr or more over the posted speed limit which included suspending the driver's licence and impounding the vehicle for seven days. In addition, 8,008 speeding charges were laid and 818 charges were laid against people for seatbelt infractions.

Overall, the number of persons killed on OPP patrolled roadways continues to decline and is down 7.4 per cent over last year (87 in 2010 and 94 in 2009).

    
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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]