Ontario Provincial Police laid more than 9,800 traffic-related charges over the Thanksgiving long weekend, targeting the driving behaviours they say continue to contribute to serious and fatal collisions across the province.
The enforcement took place between October 9 and October 12, according to the Ontario Provincial Police, whose officers patrol Caledon's roads and highways.
Throughout the weekend, officers focused on the behaviours that police say remain the leading contributors to deadly crashes: impaired driving, inattentive driving, speeding, and the improper use of or failure to wear seatbelts.
Part of a national campaign
The initiative was part of Operation Impact, an annual national campaign led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police that aims to improve road safety across Canada.
Operation Impact runs each year over the Thanksgiving weekend, one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The public awareness campaign combines education with enforcement, concentrating on impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs and fatigue, as well as aggressive driving, distracted driving, and the use of seatbelts and child car seats.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police, those behaviours are the main causes of death and injury on Canadian roadways.
A message to motorists
The OPP thanked everyone who acted responsibly over the holiday weekend and helped contribute to safer roads.
The force is encouraging all motorists to keep making safety a priority every time they get behind the wheel — a reminder that extends well beyond the long weekend for drivers in Caledon and across the province.
