NEWS RELEASE
WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
*************************
With the arrival of spring-like weather, the Waterloo Regional Police Service wants to remind motorists to drive safely.
Over the next week, an educational campaign will be launched targeting the fatal four offences - impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding and aggressive driving, and improperly used seatbelts.
In 2024, there were 15 fatal collisions resulting in the death of 17 people – compared to 10 fatal collisions in 2023, representing a 50 per cent increase.
The 2024 fatal collisions occurred in the following municipalities and townships:
- Kitchener: four
- Cambridge: four
- Wellesley: one
- Wilmot: two
- Woolwich: one
- North Dumfries: three
Of these 15 fatal collisions, 40 per cent were linked to one or more of the fatal four offences.
One of the primary objectives in the WRPS’ 2025 “Your Community, Your Choice,” road safety plan is to target these four fatal offences through education and enforcement. These plans include collaborating with each municipality to address the issue through increased reduce impaired driving everywhere (RIDE) programs and selective traffic enforcement programs (STEP) in data-driven, high complaint areas.
“We are committed to improving safety for all road users in Waterloo Region,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Griffiths of the WRPS Traffic Services Unit. “But we can’t do it alone. Making our roads safer is a community effort.”
WRPS continues to encourage drivers to be part of our road safety community commitment. Safety tips for drivers include: driving sober, putting your phone down, obeying the speed limit, and wearing your seatbelt.
Road safety is a shared responsibility.
It’s your community, your choice.
For more information on the fatal four offences, visit our website.
************************