Members of the Quinte Region Traffic Coalition pose for a photo. (Photo: Michael Brethour / Quinte News File)
Police across the country will be stepping up their presence on the highways as the annual Operation Impact kicks off this weekend.
The safety blitz is a national campaign aimed at preventing accidents and deaths on Canada’s roadways and runs every year over the Thanksgiving long weekend.
OPP Acting Sergeant Tina Hunt tells Quinte News it makes sense to hold the campaign on one of the busiest long weekends of the year, to look out for impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers, as well as people not wearing seat belts.
Hunt says 182 people have died on OPP patrolled roads already this year and the message about “the big four” needs to be listened to.
Of those deaths, distracted driving has accounted for for 63, speeding was a factor in 56, impaired driving caused 31 and improper seat belt use led to 31.
