Traffic and boating fatalities in Ontario mar holiday weekend

August 10, 2016 · 0 Comments

Two people died on OPP-patrolled roads July 30, which was part of the recent long weekend.
One of the deceased was a passenger involved in a motor vehicle collision and a male lost his life in a boating incident.
The following day (Sunday), a cyclist died after colliding with a vehicle. Later that evening, a man died when his off-road vehicle and another vehicle were involved in a road collision.
These tragic losses were part of a busy August long weekend for the OPP, as they investigated four traffic and marine-related deaths, conducted their Slow Down, Move Over campaign and partnered with the Canadian Safe Boating Council for the annual Operation Dry Water impaired boating campaign.
Despite having issued a pre-weekend public reminder about the OPP’s long weekend Slow Down, Move Over campaign, police charged more than 450 drivers under Highway Traffic Act (HTA) for failing to slow down and/or move over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks parked on the roadside with their lights activated.
While the enforcement data is still preliminary, the long weekend charges bring the total year-to-date number of charges to approximately 1,300. The law is intended to provide greater safety for emergency personnel who must work on the roadside, often in busy traffic conditions.
During Operation Dry Water, OPP marine officers were busy checking boats on various waterways throughout the province, promoting safe and sober boating. During the campaign, officers laid more than 180 alcohol and other marine-related charges.
The OPP is reminding drivers that while it conducts annual traffic, marine and off-road safety campaigns aimed at raising awareness of Ontario laws, education and enforcement are carried out 365 days per year.