A MESSAGE FROM THE OPP ABOUT NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK
Today marks the first day of Canada’s Road Safety Week, a national campaign aimed at making our nation’s roads the safest in the world. This year’s objectives will focus on the “Big 4”: impaired driving, seatbelts, distracted and aggressive driving. The campaign is a collaborative effort by police services across the country, and is designed to remind motorists that an essential part of officers’ traffic enforcement is aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities on our roadways. This initiative will run until May 23, 2016.
When we look at statistics from within Central Region for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), we observe an increase in fatal and personal injury collisions by 7.87% in 2015 compared to 2014.
Distracted driving is the number one cause of collisions. Inspector Tim Melanson, detachment commander of the Caledon OPP Detachment, states that “It’s time for all Canadians to take distracted driving seriously. This matter deserves not only attention from the police, but also from all those who utilize our highways – no matter what your method of transportation is. In the age of technology, we are connected to one another 24/7; but for the sake of your safety and those around you disconnect, drive sensibly, and put an end to distracted driving.”
In support of Canada Road Safety Week, Central Region OPP members are continuing their commitment to the Provincial Traffic Safety Program.
Canada Road Safety Week is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and Transport Canada and is part of Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025, which has a goal of making Canada’s roads the safest in the world by 2025.
