OPP report eight traffic and marine-related fatalities over long weekend

The Ontario Provincial Police were kept busy on roads, waterways and trails over the August long weekend.

According to a release from the OPP, officers responded to and investigated eight fatalities, the highest number of traffic/marine-related deaths to occur over a long weekend so far this year.

“Six of those who died were involved in road collisions,” the OPP stated. “One person was killed in an off-road vehicle collision and another individual was killed in a boating incident.”

The OPP conducted “robust enforcement” across the province, according to the release, laying more than 7,700 charges during their latest provincial traffic safety campaign.

According to the release, officers focused on poor driving behaviours that account for a significant number of traffic-related-related deaths every year. These include speeding (4,341 charges), impaired driving (182 charges), distracted driving (43 charges) and drivers (and passengers) who were not buckled up (369 charges). The OPP also laid 131 charges against drivers who failed to comply with Ontario’s Move Over Law.

The OPP is reminding the motoring public about the central role they play in reducing the number of lives lost on roads, waterways and trails by being safe, responsible drivers (and passengers) whose number one goal during every trip is to make it to or from their destination safely.