OPP to crack down after 6% increase in traffic fatalities

Citing a 6% increase in driving fatalities thus far in 2010, Ontario Provincial Police are vowing to crack down on “irresponsible drivers” who demonstrate aggressive driving, drive impaired and don’t wear seat belts.
“Our Provincial Traffic Safety Program (PTSP) and other positive factors led to some significant saving of lives in 2008 and 2009, but it is very disturbing to see the carnage on our highways start to creep back up again,” OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino said in a press release. “Any loss of life due to irresponsible driving is unacceptable.”
In 2008, the first full year for the PTSP, there were 322 highway traffic deaths on roads patrolled by the OPP compared to 451 in 2007. This represents a 29% reduction, or 129 lives saved.
There were 310 highway traffic deaths in 2009.
“However, year-to-date statistics for 2010 (to July 25) show 163 deaths occurred on OPP-patrolled roads compared to 154 in the same period of 2009 for an increase of 6%,” the OPP says. “July of 2010 has been particularly treacherous with 46 traffic fatalities so far compared to 28 in the entire month in 2009.”
OPP statistics also show 2010 highway traffic deaths related to alcohol use are up 21% compared to the same period in 2009, and deaths related to lack of seat belts are up 22%.