Police will be out in full force on area roads this weekend as they look to crack down on the top four causes of traffic fatalities.
Operation Impact runs until Thanksgiving Monday and will see local and provincial police forces across Canada on the lookout for distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving and failure to wear a seat belt.
The infractions, known as the “big four,” have been contributing factors in 170 of the 227 deaths on provincial roads so far this year, according to Ontario Provincial Police.
Of the four, speeding and distracted driving have been the most common cause in fatal collisions with both listed as a factor in 48 deaths in 2015. Failure to wear a seatbelt, meanwhile, was listed as a factor in 45 deaths and impaired driving was listed as a factor in 29 others.
The number of fatal accidents in which failure to wear a seatbelt was a factor is up so far in 2015, however OPP say that they have seen a reduction in accidents in which the other three factors played a part.
“Drivers and passengers must be mindful of the critical role they play in changing dangerous driving behaviours. The OPP knows that enforcement works and educating the public about safe driving practices is a priority,” Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair said in a press release announcing the blitz. “Motorists will see an increased presence on our highways as OPP officers work with police across this country during Operation Impact to make Ontario’s roads the safest in the world.”
Operation Impact is conducted each October long weekend in partnership with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.
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