The death toll on Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) patrolled roads reached 268 heading into October.
According to figures released Wednesday by the OPP, those fatalities mark a 24 per cent increase over this time last year. The OPP reported the majority of the deaths were no "accident" and were the result of motorists consciously making bad decisions behind the wheel.
Police pointed out that so far this year, poor decisions and a disregard for the safety of fellow road users have been linked to 69 speed-related fatalities, 57 inattentive-related fatalities, 40 alcohol or drug-related fatalities and 40 deaths associated with lack of seatbelt use.
Over the long weekend, the OPP will join police services across the country for Operation Impact. The annual traffic safety campaign is a national police enforcement and education initiative to target drivers who are alcohol or drug impaired, aggressive and inattentive or distracted, as well as vehicle occupants who fail to buckle up or properly restrain toddlers and children.