(BlackburnNews.com file photo by Jason Viau)(BlackburnNews.com file photo by Jason Viau)
London

OPP to tackle 'Big Four' over Thanksgiving weekend

The four leading causes of fatal crashes have taken the lives of over 150 people on Ontario roads this year, according to provincial police.

The Ontario Provincial Police said aggressive driving, impaired driving, inattentive driving and not using a seat belt have killed 156 people so far this year, as of October 1.  Of those, 50 deaths were linked to speeding, 37 were attributed to an inattentive driver, and 35 deaths involved a driver who had consumed alcohol and/or drugs. Not wearing a seat belt was a factor in another 34 deaths on OPP-patrolled roads.

"So far this year, the OPP has laid more than 175,155 charges against aggressive, inattentive, alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, and unbuckled vehicle occupants. The three behaviours associated with driving are linked to 15,269 collisions to date, 95 of which were fatal," said Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, the provincial commander of traffic safety and operational support.

The OPP will be conducting an enforcement initiative called Operation Impact over the Thanksgiving long weekend in an effort to ensure the public is following the laws of the road.

"The goal of Operation Impact is not about issuing traffic tickets. It is about seeing every driver, without police intervention, refrain from risky driving behaviours and every vehicle occupant buckled up," said Blair.

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