So far this year, the OPP says 259 people have been killed in clashes, including 19 people in the last week alone. “Speed right now is the number one killer of motor vehicle crashes across the province. I want [everyone] to understand the consequences of a bad choice,” said Sergeant Kerry Schmidt. Distracted driving, aggressive driving, impaired driving and people not wearing seat belts or safety equipment are also major causes of death. Schmidt said all of those categories are up compared to last year. “A 300 percent increase in bike deaths investigated by the OPP this year. Eight riders have died already this season compared to two at the same time last year,” he added. The OPP is asking anyone who sees dangerous or aggressive driving on roads, trails or waterways to call police. “We will have officers respond to these incidents and try to intercept and stop this activity before someone dies,” Schmidt said.
259 people were killed this year in collisions on roads, waterways and footpaths. 19 people died last week alone, a 300% increase in bike deaths – 8 from 2 last year. #DriveSafe #OPPSstats. pic.twitter.com/lPpVjd1xOY — OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) August 23, 2022
