"Operation Impact" is underway province-wide and throughout the Greater Sudbury area, and will continue into holiday Monday. The national campaign focuses on the four main causal factors in motor vehicle collision deaths: distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving and failure to wear a seat belt.
Of the 239 road deaths investigated by the OPP this year, 182 involved those factors. They are sometimes known as "The Big Four".
Greater Sudbury Police Services (GSPS) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be targeting those who put the wellbeing of others at risk by operating motor vehicles in violation of provincial and federal legislation over the course of this weekend.
Motorists that suspect someone is impaired by alcohol, drug, or even fatigue are encouraged to call 911.
According to a statement from GSPS:
The incidence of alcohol-impaired driving may be decreasing (from 20% in 2010 to 16% in 2014), but it hasn’t disappeared. Until then, you will continue to hear us say: Don’t Drive Drunk.
A drug-impaired driving offence occurs every 3 hours in Canada, each day, making this a key traffic and public safety issue. Don’t drive high.
20% of fatal collisions involve driver fatigue. That’s 1 in 5! Don’t underestimate the impact of fatigue on your driving skills. Rest to be at your best.
Distracted drivers have caused more collisions than impaired drivers. Checking a text for 5 seconds means that, at 90 km/h, you’ve travelled the length of a football field blindfolded.5 Keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind on driving.
Research indicates that a 1% reduction in speed reduces the likelihood of a fatal collision by 5%. Respect speed limits.
Aggressive driving is not just about speed, it includes running red lights, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic and failing to yield the right of way. Drive safely.
Transport-related injuries remain the number one cause of death for Canadian children under the age of 14. Play it SAFE: Seatbelts Are For Everyone
Greater Sudbury Police Services reminded the public that road safety is everybody’s responsibility.
Enjoy the holiday weekend and arrive alive.
