The first three months of the year can be a scary time for commuters with snowstorms and slippery roads, but the OPP says there's been a significant decline in the number of people dying on the province's highways.
The total number of fatal collisions from January to March has decreased by 5.5 percent, which means 12 fewer deaths compared to the same wintery period in 2008.
The decline is even greater when compared to the 451 people that died on Ontario Provincial Police patrolled highways in 2007. Last year, 322 people died, resulting in a 29 percent drop from the previous year.
In a press release, OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino says the decline is due to the fact that people are getting the message about not drinking and driving.
"The good news is that alcohol-related fatalities are down from ten in the first three months of 2008 to just one so far this year," he says.
However, it seems even though seatbelt laws have been in effect for more than 30 years, people are still not buckling up.
Sgt. Dave Woodford told CP24 that 11 deaths this year have been attributed to victims not wearing seatbelts.
He says the number is still down from 19 in 2008. Speeding fatalities are also in decline with 17 so far this year, compared to 24 during the same period in 2008.
Sgt. Woodford says commuters are listening to road advisories and learning to drive to road conditions during snow storms, squalls and blizzards.
He says the goal is to make sure the number of accidents and fatalities continue to decline through the rest of the year.
