As of October 1, the deaths of 156 people on OPP-patrolled roads were linked to the “Big Four” leading contributing factors in road fatalities. The Big Four are aggressive driving, alcohol/drug impaired driving, inattentive driving and lack of seat belt use.
So far this year, 50 deaths were linked to speeding, one form of aggressive driving. Thirty-seven deaths were attributed to an inattentive driver and 35 deaths involved a driver who had consumed alcohol and/or drugs. Failure to wear a seat belt was a factor in 34 people losing their lives in collisions on OPP-patrolled roads.
“So far this year, the OPP has laid more than 175,155 charges against aggressive, inattentive, alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, and unbuckled vehicle occupants,” said deputy-commissioner Brad Blair, provincial commander of traffic safety and operational support. “The three behaviours associated with driving are linked to 15,269 collisions to date, 95 of which were fatal. The goal of Operation Impact is not about issuing traffic tickets. It is about seeing every driver, without police intervention, refrain from risky driving behaviours and every vehicle occupant buckled up.”
