Speeding is the number one cause of road fatalities in Ontario
Speeding drivers are the top cause of road fatalities in Ontario, according to the OPP.
Police say that the death toll from speeding has risen 76% since this time last year. As of June 26, speeding has been linked with 30 road deaths, compared to 17 in 2016, said the OPP.
“Aggressive driving-related deaths have dramatically increased in Ontario in the last year. We all have a responsibility to ensure our roads are safe,” said Marie-France Lalonde, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, in a statement. “This long weekend, remember to slow down, drive safely and respect your fellow motorists.”
The OPP report that excessive speed continues to threaten the safety of other road users with more than 1,400 charges so far this year laid against drivers clocked at 50 km/h or more over the posted speed limit.
During the long weekend, OPP will be on the roads looking for speeding and other forms of aggressive driving such as following too closely, unsafe passing and lane changes, failing to yield right-of-way, road rage and other dangerous, high-risk driving behaviours.
“Excessive speeding is completely unacceptable and I urge everyone travelling on the roads this Canada Day Long Weekend to slow down and stay safe,” said Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation, in a statement. “We take our work with our enforcement and other road safety partners to save more lives seriously.”
Del Duca also reminded everyone of the consequences of street racing – all drivers who put others on the road at risk by driving aggressively – could mean jail term of up to six month, fines of up to $10,000 and prolonged licence suspension upon conviction.
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