Ontario Provincial Police will be stepping up enforcement on commercial and non-commercial drivers next week as part of Operation Safe Driver Week, a road safety campaign led by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
Running from July 13 to 19, the annual initiative focuses on high-risk driving behaviours and how different types of drivers interact on shared roadways. The OPP, in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and other road safety agencies, will target violations such as improper lane changes, following too closely, speeding and other forms of aggressive or careless driving.
Commercial drivers are also being reminded to stay in compliance with safety requirements, including vehicle inspections, hours-of-service regulations, cargo securement and the transportation of dangerous goods.
“When commercial and non-commercial drivers share space on our roadways, there is zero room for aggressive, careless, inattentive and impaired driving,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. “Last year, OPP officers responded to 8,817 collisions that involved large transport trucks. Tragically, 73 of the crashes were fatal, 905 of them resulted in injuries and the vast majority of them were preventable. All it takes to eliminate these senseless crashes and prevent injuries is a commitment from every motorist to drive responsibly and obey the law.”
Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner echoed the importance of driver vigilance.
“Operation Safe Driver Week is an important reminder that we all have a part to play in keeping Ontario’s roads and highways safe,” Kerzner said. “When we stay alert, follow the rules of the road, and look out for one another, we make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.”
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria noted the province’s long-standing safety record and the role of enforcement.
“For 25 years, Ontario’s roads have ranked among the safest in North America, thanks in large part to our Transportation Enforcement Officers who are dedicated to improving safety by enforcing the rules of the road for commercial drivers and vehicles,” Sarkaria said. “Our government is proud to participate in Operation Safe Driver Week to ensure everyone shares our roadways safely.”
