Long weekend claims four lives
HOLIDAY WEEKEND RESULTS IN 4 DEATHS ON OPP-PATROLLED ROADS, WATERWAYS AND TRAILS
Ontario Provincial Police reports confirm that four (4) people died on the roads, trails and waterways patrolled by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) during the July 30th – Aug 2nd long weekend.
New Drinking and Driving legislation came into effect Saturday night and officers conducting R.I.D.E. spot checks, were observant for young drivers to ensure drivers under 22 years of age had a zero BAC. OPP officers have already issued five (5), 24-hour roadside suspensions under this new legislation Of course a visible increase of the number of vehicles travelling during long weekends, paired with increased frequency of R.I.D.E. spot checks in some areas, can contribute to more legal actions being taken. This was not the case for the Marathon/Manitouwadges OPP Detachment however who, though having checked a total of 1250 vehicles between July 26th and August 2nd as a result of R.I.D.E. compared to the previous week Vehicle Check Total of 216 saw no change in the number of H.T.A. warnings as it remained constant at just 2.
In nearby Greenstone where many Northshore residents travelled to attend the Geraldton Jamboree, OPP conducted six R.I.D.E. programs checking more than 500 vehicles. Two Provincial Offence Notics were issued during the R.I.D.E. programs; one to a driver not wearing a seatbelt, the other on July 31st, prior to the new suspension provisions coming into effect, involving in a G2 licence holder having a blood alcohol concentration above zero.
In North West Region, the OPP laid 353 charges for various offences, including 265 for speeding, 1 stunt driving charge, 10 seatbelt charges and 6 impaired driving charges.
There is no doubt that the efforts by OPP officers across the province saved lives and successfully convinced many drivers of the importance of slowing down, buckling up and not drinking and driving.
New OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis said, “it’s gratifying to see the efforts put in by the men and women of the OPP who focus on saving lives through enforcement. Our strategy of both increased visibility and focussing on the three key areas of aggressive driving, drinking and driving, and seatbelts remains effective.”
Province-wide, the OPP laid 7605 charges for various offences, including 5546 for speeding, 62 stunt driving charges, 368 seatbelt charges and 101 impaired driving charges between noon on Friday, July 30 and midnight on Monday, August 2, 2010. On the waterways, one (1) boater drowned as a result of a marine collision. On the trails we patrol, there were no lives lost.
OPP Data collected from Marathon/Manitouwadge Police Detachment, Greenstonse OPP, and the OPP Highway Safety Division Press Releases.
