OPP: Over 2,300 charges laid in eastern Ontario during road safety week

Canada Road Safety Week came to an end this week, and resulted in a staggering 2,459 charges laid on highways in eastern Ontario.

Road safety week wrapped up on Monday, May 20, 2019, and demonstrated that impaired driving is a problem on the well-travelled highways in our region of the province, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) East Region Headquarters said in a press release on Friday, May 24, 2019.

OPP officers charged 34 drivers for being impaired by alcohol, and one driver with being impaired by drugs.

“It’s truly disappointing to see that so many drivers are choosing to endanger their own lives, as well as the lives of others in their vehicle and everyone else on the road,” said Inspector Paul Bedard, the OPP East Region Traffic and Marine Manager.

“We know that impaired driving can be deadly. We want people to think about the impact such a bad decision could have on lives of loved ones and strangers.”

However, it was speeding fines that accounted for the vast majority of charges laid throughout the week – 2,151 charges were laid for speeding, along with 51 charges for stunt driving.

Additionally, East Region OPP officers laid the following charges:

• Failure to yield: 83
• Seatbelts: 74
• Distracted driving: 39
• Careless driving: 26

The OPP would like to remind the public to call 911 immediately if they see dangerous driving or suspect a driver of being impaired.

“You could be helping to save lives,” the OPP said.