OPP are warning motorists about the dangers of distracted driving ahead of this Labour Day long weekend.
According to the police, inattentive driving is linked to more collisions on OPP patrolled roads so far this year than speeding and alcohol/drug-related collisions combined.
Since January 1, 2017, driver distraction has been reported as the primary cause in 6,360 road collisions. In contrast, speed was the primary cause in 4,700 crashes, while 1,158 of the incidents involved a driver who consumed alcohol or drugs.
A total of 47 people have died so far this year because of an inattentive driver, up from 39 such deaths this time last year.
“Our collision data is compelling evidence that drivers who text, talk on their cell phone or are distracted in some other way, take a tremendous toll on the safety of those who share the road with them,” said OPP Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) Hawkes. “Public complacency about inattentive driving can be just as dangerous as the behaviour itself. Until drivers, passengers and the general public take a firm stand against this road safety issue, these tragedies are expected to continue in large numbers on our roads.”
OPP warn that with children and other students taking to the streets and being bused to school beginning next week, the need for motorists to pay full attention to driving – and for others to take a firm stand against drivers who are not — has never been greater.
