OPP encouraging safe driving this long weekend

Labour Day marks the last long weekend of the summer and the South Porcupine Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging motorists to drive safe on highways, waterways, trails and Provincial Parks.

The OPP will be focusing on aggressive driving and the Big 4 which include:

Pay Attention to the Road (Distracted Driving)

• Distracted driving refers to all forms of distracted or inattentive driving, such as adjusting a vehicle’s entertainment or Global Positioning System (GPS) unit or stereo, eating and drinking, using a hand-held device, self-grooming, tending to the children in the back seat, and more.  The true danger to public safety lies in the distraction, not the device.

Seatbelts Saves Lives

• All Ontario drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner.  Making sure your children are also secure in a properly installed child restraint is equally as important.  Wearing a seatbelt properly will dramatically increase your chance of surviving a motor vehicle collision.
• If one person decides not to wear a seatbelt, yourself and others in the vehicle are also at risk of serious injury.  If you are in a collision there is likelihood that the person not wearing their seatbelt is tossed around in the car striking the other passengers.

Obeying Speed Limits

• Speed is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle fatalities in Ontario. Slowing down during adverse weather conditions, and obeying the posted speed limit, will reduce the number of fatal crashes and serious injury collisions.

Don’t Drink/Drugs and Drive

• Impaired driving continues to be among the leading criminal causes of death in Canada.  Never allow yourself to drink and drive, never allow someone you suspect is impaired by alcohol or drugs to drive.

Driving is a complex task which requires your full attention.  Remember, you are operating a heavy piece of machinery, navigating in diverse weather conditions, calculating speeds and distance plus always responding to other drivers and obstacles.  Unfortunately, the irresponsible behaviour of one driver can negatively affect the lives of many.

“If your long weekend activities include operating a motor vehicle, a vessel or an off-road vehicle, understand the laws associated and that traffic volume will be increased.  Remember to take charge of your safety and the safety of your passengers.” says Staff Sergeant Dan Foy, Detachment Commander.

The OPP is committed to ensuring safe highways and communities for all Ontarians.