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OPP Long Weekend Road Blitz

Friday, 1 September 2017 05:05

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Oxford OPP we will be watching out for distracted drivers this long weekend.

OXFORD COUNTY - Oxford OPP will be watching out for distracted drivers this long weekend. 

Distracted Driving is now the number one killer on Ontario roadways, beating out speeding and drinking and driving. Sergeant Dave Rektor tells Heart FM the numbers show that Distracted driving has become a serious problem. 

"The top four factors of injuries and death on our highways remain distracted driving, aggressive driving and failing to wear seatbelts but our recent studies have showed us that since January of this year distracted driving remains the primary cause with 6,360 road collisions reported and 47 people have died in those crashes where inattentive driving was cited as one of the causes." 

In contrast, speed was the primary cause in 4,700 crashes, while 1,158 of the incidents involved a driver who consumed alcohol or drugs. Rektor adds Police will be out in full force and they will be handing out tickets to distracted drivers, speeders and setting up RIDE programs. 

OPP Commissioner J.V.N Hawkes says cell phones are a real problem on our highways. 

"Our collision data is compelling evidence that drivers who text, talk on their cell phone or are distracted in some other way, take a tremendous toll on the safety of those who share the road with them. Public complacency about inattentive driving can be just as dangerous as the behaviour itself. Until drivers, passengers and the general public take a firm stand against this road safety issue, these tragedies are expected to continue in large numbers on our roads.'' 

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