Provincial police are issuing a reminder to drivers to use caution as the death rate on Ontario’s roads hits a 10-year high.
The Ontario Provincial Police said officers have responded to 88 fatal collisions on OPP-patrolled roads so far this year, which have claimed the lives of 107 people. Police officials said the annual death rate has not surpassed the 100 mark this quickly since 2012.
According to the OPP, driver inattention is to blame for the loss of 25 lives so far this year, which is a 79 per cent increase over this time last year. As well, Alcohol and drugs have accounted for 15 fatalities, compared to 11 the previous year.
Speed was a factor in 27 deaths and not wearing a seatbelt contributed to another 15 fatalities.
The OPP, along with other police services around the country, are taking part in Canada Road Safety Week between May 17-23 to conduct education and enforcement around inattentive/distracted driving, speeding and other aggressive driving, alcohol/drug-impaired driving, seatbelt compliance and other risky road behaviours.
