OPP

(Sault Ste. Marie, ON) – Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are participating in  Canada Road Safety Week, a police initiative designed to remind people that an essential part of the enforcement component is to save lives and reduce injuries on the road.

Educating the public about safe driving practices is a priority.

The focus will be on behaviours that put drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users most at risk. These are impaired driving, occupant restraint use and all aspects related to aggressive and distracted driving.

In Ontario, 69 people died last year in accidents where driver distraction played a role,  outnumbering all other categories for the third year in a row.

Over the past ten years (2006-2015) in Ontario, there have been 267 motorcycle and 167 off-road vehicle rider deaths in collisions investigated by the OPP.

These are just numbers but these preventable deaths and injuries have a lifelong impact on many individuals and families in our communities.

“The long lasting impact that results from carelessness behind the wheel can be prevented,” says Acting Staff Sergeant Yvan Pelletier.

In support of Canada Road Safety Week, members of the Sault Ste. Marie OPP are continuing the commitment to the Provincial Traffic Safety Program.

Canada Road Safety Week is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and Transport Canada and is part of Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025, which has a goal of making Canada’s roads the safest in the world by 2025.