Provincial police say they are "dismayed" by the increase in the number of fatal collisions involving transport trucks.
According to figures released by the OPP, the number of fatal transport truck crashes on roads patrolled by provincial police is up in four of the OPP's six regions so far this year.
The Northeast Region saw the biggest increase, with nine fatal collisions this year compared to one last year. The West Region, which includes Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, Huron, Perth, Lambton, Chatham-Kent, and Essex counties, has reported nine fatal crashes, compared to eight last year.
Across the province, the OPP has responded to 33 transport truck-related fatal collisions so far this year, marking a 38% increase when compared to this time last year. Forty-one people have died in the crashes.
"The OPP has never been more committed to its Commercial Motor Vehicle Collision Mitigation Strategy," OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes said in a statement released to the media. "We continue to work diligently with our road safety and trucking industry partners toward our goal of reducing the number of transport truck collisions on our roads. Despite our efforts, it takes a firm commitment to safe driving on the part of all transport truck drivers and other motorists in order to see a significant reduction in these types of collisions."
Provincial police will launch another campaign aimed at improving road safety next week. Operation Safe Trucking begins on Monday.
Fatal Transport Truck Collisions on OPP Patrolled Roads:
Region: 2018 2017 Percentage change
West 9 8 12.5%
Central 2 2 0%
North West 2 5 -60%
East 8 6 33%
North East 9 1 800%
Highway Safety Division 3 2 50%