A lot of people with a heavy foot now face charges after an Ontario Provincial Police blitz over the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Police say they laid 227 charges for speeding on OPP-patrolled roads in Essex County, the highest number in the West Region. Another 63 drivers were nabbed for hazardous moving violations. Those are charges for driving in a way that puts other drivers at risk of an accident.
In addition to those offences, officers also suspended one driver for driving at the legal limit, another charge for exceeding the legal limit for blood alcohol, one for distracted driving, and three for seatbelt violations.
Police say they've investigated 29 crashes between Friday and Monday, compared to 38 over the Thanksgiving long weekend last year.
"A reduction in the number of motor vehicle collisions investigated by OPP members across Essex County this past Thanksgiving as compared to last year is refreshing news," says Essex County OPP Detachment Commander Glenn Miller. "The instances of motorists not adhering to posted speed limit signs continues to be identified as a concern -- Speed is a major contributor to motor vehicle collisions, and we urge the public to respect all posted speed laws."