With people getting set for what is traditionally one of the busiest long weekends of the year, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is also gearing up for a busy weekend on Ontario roads, trails and waterways this Canada Day Long weekend.
In particular, the OPP will be keeping a close eye out for people who display aggressive driving behaviour, whether in a motor vehicle, boat or all-terrain vehicle.
The OPP is reminding the public that speeding is not the only form of aggressive driving they will be watching out for over the weekend. Following vehicles too closely, improper lane changes, weaving in and out of lanes and a general disregard for traffic laws are all forms of aggressive and dangerous driving behaviour that put all road users at risk.
As they have done in the past, the OPP will be looking to every motorist, boater and trail user to partner with them for a safe and enjoyable weekend.
“People are finally getting the message that they themselves play a far greater role in keeping everyone safe than the OPP does. We may be seeing the results of this positive attitude shift reflected in our fatality statistics this year, with the number of deaths on roads, waterways and trails we police at 110 compared to 173 this time last year,” said Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander, Traffic Safety and Operational Support.
“We want to see this positive trend continue and one way to make this happen is to have everyone become our number one safety partner and to make road, boating and trail safety the same top priority as we do over busy long weekends and throughout the year at the OPP,” said Chief Superintendent Don Bell, Commander, OPP Highway Safety Division.
Over and above aggressive driving, the OPP will be watching for: seat belt compliance, distracted driving, impaired while driving, boating or off-roading, compliance with ‘Move Over’ laws, and use of boating safety equipment such as personal floatation devices (PFD).
