Provincial police are issuing a warning to drivers as 2023 shapes up to be a notably tragic year on Ontario’s roads.
The Ontario Provincial Police said officers have responded to 136 fatal collisions so far this year in which 150 people were killed. By comparison, there were 103 fatal road crashes and 125 lives lost at this time last year.
The current rise in road fatalities has police officials concerned following a year that saw a historically high number of deaths — 2022 marked a 16-year high with a total of 359 fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads.
The majority of fatal crashes are attributed to speeding, careless driving, driver inattention, driver fatigue, alcohol/drug consumption and lack of seatbelt use.
Police are reminding drivers that even one careless action behind the wheel is all it takes to cause a serious collision that ends a life.
“The OPP is appealing to all motorists to always drive within the law and to never take risks of any kind, as this is the only way to avoid causing serious collisions that end lives on our roads,” the OPP said in a news release. “The OPP wants to see every road user get home to their loved ones safely.”