ORILLIA – The OPP laid 14,068 charges throughout Canada Day week (June 25 to July 3) during what police are calling “a robust enforcement and education campaign on roads, waterways and trails.”
Police say officers focused on compliance with lifesaving equipment laws around lifejackets, seatbelts and helmets.
“Officers laid 1,017 charges against drivers and passengers who failed to keep themselves safe by not adhering to these important laws,” police stated in a July 7 press release.
“The OPP also focused on risky driving behaviours on and off the road. Officers were particularly dismayed at motorists who racked up 8,287 speeding charges and 175 stunt/racing charges.”
Among the other charges were 322 for impaired driving charges and 167 for distracted driving.
“Sadly, four people were killed in road collisions over the Canada Day long weekend and one person died in an off-road vehicle incident,” police added.
The OPP is reminding drivers, trail users and boaters that “doing their part to keep themselves and their passengers safe is key to significantly reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on and off the road.”
