NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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With almost 20 per cent of fatal collisions in Ontario Provincial Police jurisdictions involving transport trucks this year, the data paints a grim picture of how commercial and non-commercial drivers have been sharing the road.
"Aggressive and careless drivers have no place on our roads, especially when sharing the road involves large commercial vehicles," says Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique. "Tragically, many families again this year are paying a devastating price - the senseless, preventable loss of their loved ones - because of drivers who make a conscious decision to not share our roads safely."
Thirty-one people have died in road incidents. Eighty-six per cent of the crashes were linked to poor behaviours on the part of non-commercial drivers. Commercial drivers were at-fault in the remaining 14 per cent of the collisions. Speeding, following too closely and improper passing are among the unsafe actions behind transport truck-involved collisions every year.
"Dangerous driving puts everyone at risk. Road safety is a shared responsibility and that's why Operation Safe Driver Week is an important reminder to do your part - slow down, stay focused and follow the rules of the road," says Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.
The OPP and its valued partner, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), are joining police services throughout North America for Operation Safe Driver Week. During the traffic enforcement and education initiative, officers will be on the lookout for commercial and non-commercial vehicle drivers engaging in risky behaviours. The OPP and MTO will also ensure commercial drivers are keeping their trucks, equipment, loads and records up to the standards required by law, which also contribute to the safe movement of commercial vehicles on our roads.
QUICK FACTS
- Transport truck-involved collisions account for approximately 11 per cent of overall motor vehicle collisions investigated by the OPP this year.
- In 2023, 8,622 of the 77,076 collisions investigated by the OPP involved commercial vehicles.
- Operation Safe Driver Week is led by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and runs from July 7 to 13.
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