TORONTO — Provincial police say Ontario drivers aren’t getting the message about safe driving, as traffic charges during the Labour Day long weekend were up over last year.
OPP said the number of charges on roads they monitor were up four per cent over the same period last year in four distinct categories: speeding, racing, seatbelts and impaired driving.
This year officers laid 5,494 charges for speeding, 77 for racing, 464 for lack of seatbelts and 96 for impaired driving. Those numbers are up significantly from last year when there were 4,974 charges laid for speeding, 67 for racing, 459 for seatbelts and 91 for impaired driving.
READ MORE: OPP launches distracted driving blitz ahead of Labour Day weekend
OPP launched a distracted driving blitz over the long weekend that they said may have made a difference in the increased number of charges laid overall.
Police said distracted driving charges were down 38 per cent over last year, but police still laid 407 charges against inattentive drivers.
As of Sept. 6, the number of distracted driving related collisions was up 20 per cent over last year, according to police, and there were two fatal collisions this weekend that resulted in four deaths. Police said alcohol was a factor in both collisions.
“These long weekend statistics are alarming. OPP officers will remain diligent in their efforts to make safety a priority on Ontario’s roads, trails and waterways,” OPP Chief Supt. Chuck Cox said in a release. “I encourage everyone to stay focused behind the wheel, and make smart decisions that could help save a life.”
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