239 Dead In Collisions So Far This Year
Source: Area OPP
Date: Tue Oct 15 02:38:52 MST 2019
Heading into the Thanksgiving Long Weekend, motor vehicle collisions on OPP-patrolled roads sit at 53,036, up from last year when collisions had reached 52,676 by this time.
Again this year, preventable deaths account for a significant number of the fatalities. Speed is the lead causal factor to date with 46 deaths attributed to this aggressive driving behaviour. Lack of seat belt use among drivers and passengers accounts for 44 fatalities. Driver inattention has been linked to 42 deaths and 33 people died in crashes that involved alcohol and/or drugs.
Drivers account for the 162 of those who died, 53 of the deceased were passengers while pedestrians account for 24 of the deaths. Those who are travelling by motor vehicle this weekend should take note that Friday is the day of the week that marks the highest number of road deaths this year (42), followed by Saturday (37), Sunday (36) and Monday (33).
Sadly, many innocent people of all ages pay the price with their lives because of drivers who ignore their responsibility to share the road safely. Before you head out this Thanksgiving Long Weekend, as a driver, please remember that every motorist, passenger, pedestrian and cyclist has the right to be safe and that safe roads start with you. As a passenger, always remember to wear your seat belt."