OPP CAUTION MOTORISTS AND PROVIDE IMPORTANT SAFETY CHECKLIST

Written by Press Release on 13 March 2011

FROM/DE: Highway Safety Division DATE: March 11, 2011

The Seasons May Change but the Responsibility for Safe Driving Doesn’t

ORILLIA, ON –The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are reminding motorists that with spring just around the corner, roads begin to get busier and as seen all too often, motorists begin to let their guard down about safe driving as dry paved roads emerge from the melting snow. Here are some important tips to remember every time you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle:

Pay Attention to the Road –Stow Those Electronic Gadgets:

The OPP are concerned about seeing an increase in the number of motorists who are contravening the law regarding the use of electronic handheld devices while driving. Distracted driving is fast emerging as a major factor in motor vehicle collisions and the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) ranked the distracted driver as its number one concern on the roads in 2010.

Buckle Up – Seatbelts Save Lives:

All Ontario drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner. Making sure your children are also secure in a properly installed child restraint is equally important. Being ejected from a vehicle drastically decreases your chances of surviving a motor vehicle collision. Wear your seatbelt properly at all times and make sure all of your passengers do the same.

Obey the Speed Limits – Speed Kills:

Speed continues to be a major cause of motor vehicle fatalities in Ontario. Slowing down and obeying the posted speed limits will reduce the number of fatal crashes and serious injury collisions caused by this life-threatening behaviour – are you doing your part?

Slow Down or Move Over – Keep Them Safe:

When passing an emergency vehicle stopped with its emergency lights activated in the same direction of travel, either in a lane or on the shoulder of a road or highway, slow down and pass with caution. If the road has two or more lanes, you must move over into another lane if it can be done safely – it’s the law.

Don’t Drink and Drive – Arrive Alive:

If you’ve been drinking and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) registers between .05 to .08 mgs of alcohol on a roadside screening device, for a first occurrence you will lose your licence for 3 days.
Drivers with a BAC over .08 or who refuse to provide a breath sample will have their licence suspended immediately for 90 days.
Drivers will also have their car impounded for seven days and face Criminal Code charges for drinking and driving.

“Our international award-winning Provincial Traffic Safety Program reflects how committed we are to road safety and heading into spring, I want all drivers to realize that their actions directly impact not only their safety, but the safety of everyone who shares the roadway” – Chris Lewis, OPP Commissioner.

Traffic safety is in everyone’s best interest. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse. Following these laws every time you drive and it will help keep Ontario’s highways amongst the safest in North America.

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