It’s the start of the Thanksgiving long weekend and the OPP’s Operation Impact.
The annual traffic safety campaign targets aggressive, distracted and alcohol/drug-impaired driving as well as the use of seat belts.
Over the long weekend, the OPP will be highly visible supporting the campaign throughout the province, ensuring everyone arrives at their destination safely.
BUT there should be fewer vehicles on the roads, as Ontario residents are being told to stay home for the holiday and forego the big family dinner due to the pandemic.
The OPP released its latest traffic data yesterday, as a cautionary reminder of how many road fatalities Ontario drivers have contributed to this year.
The OPP says it responded to 209 fatal motor vehicle collisions so far this year, which claimed the lives of 224 people.
It adds speed leads the list of factors in preventable road fatalities, with 41 deaths linked to this dangerous driving behaviour.
Not wearing a seat belt was also a contributing factor in 40 of this year’s deaths, while inattentive drivers were linked to 37 fatalities and 35 deaths involved drug/alcohol-impaired drivers.
Thanksgiving is normally a time when people get together with family and friends, but these aren't normal times.
This year, it's not enough just to limit the size of our gatherings. We all need to do our part and stick to our immediate households. pic.twitter.com/tmFywHEQli
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 8, 2020
This year, Ontarians should celebrate #Thanksgiving with members of their household only. I just spoke with my wife Karla and we’ll follow the same advice as we stick to our immediate household for Thanksgiving dinner.
I know it’s tough, we need to stop the spread of COVID-19.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 6, 2020