Provincial police say speeding has been the number one factor in fatal crashes in Ontario so far this year.
That's why they'll be cracking down on overly fast drivers this Canada Day weekend.
According to the OPP, speeding was a factor in 30 road deaths between the beginning of 2017 and June 26. That represents a 76% increase compared to the same time period in 2016.
"For some drivers, instances of speeding and other forms of aggressive driving are frequent and for others, they are part of their everyday driving behaviour," says OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair. "Last year, our officers laid more than 240,000 speeding charges against drivers who took the lives of other road users into their own hands."
As Ontarians hit the road this weekend for Canada Day travels, OPP say they will be watching out for drivers who are speeding, following too closely, making unsafe lane changes, and attempting dangerous passes. They'll also be watching for road rage and other high-risk driving behaviours.
"Even one life lost to reckless or dangerous driving is one life too many," says Steven Del Duca, Ontario's Minister of Transportation. "Excessive speeding is completely unacceptable and I urge everyone travelling on the roads this Canada Day long weekend to slow down and stay safe. We take our work with our enforcement and other road safety partners to save more lives seriously and remind everyone of the real-life consequences of street racing - all drivers who put others on the road at risk by driving aggressively - could face a jail term of up to six month, fines of up to $10,000 and prolonged licence suspension upon conviction."