An Ontario Provincial Police cruiser. (Photo by OPP)An Ontario Provincial Police cruiser. (Photo by OPP)
Windsor

OPP lay over 14,000 charges over the Canada Day long weekend

The Canada Day long weekend was busy for Ontario Provincial Police officers.

During an enforcement and education campaign, police laid 14,068 charges across Ontario. That includes 8,287 for speeding and 175 for stunt driving.

A total of 322 people now face impaired driving charges and 167 for distracted driving.

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There were five fatalities, four on OPP-patrolled roads and one person died in an off-road vehicle crash.

Of the four fatalities, three were in Southwestern Ontario. On July 1, a pick-up truck and a motorcycle collided in Leamington, killing one person on the bike and seriously injuring a passenger.

Oxford County OPP reported a second fatality involving a pick-up truck and a motorcycle on July 3 near Norwich. The driver on the bike died.

Near Plattsville, the driver of a car died when it collided with an SUV. Four people, including three children, in the SUV, were hurt.

Officers spoke with those travelling in motor vehicles, off-road vehicles, and marine vessels with a focus on equipment meant to keep them safe. That included the use of life jackets, helmets, and seatbelts. Unfortunately, they charged 1,017 drivers and passengers for failing to adhere to those laws.

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