Over 260 deaths on Ontario highways so far this year: OPP

There will be an increased Ontario Provincial Police presence on highways across the province this long weekend as part of their traffic safety initiative.

The annual campaign dubbed Operation Impact comes as Ontario grapples with a staggering jump in the number of collisions and deaths on major roadways this year.

“Numerous friends and family members will be missing loved ones at their Thanksgiving long weekend gatherings this year, with the death toll on OPP-patrolled roads reaching 268 heading into October,” OPP said in a statement.

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The fatalities mark a 24 per cent increase over this time last year.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said five people died over the Thanksgiving long weekend alone in 2021.

“The majority of the deaths were no ‘accident’ and were the result of motorists consciously making bad decisions behind the wheel and failing to take seriously their enormous responsibility to drive and share the road safely,” OPP said.

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So far this year, there have been 69 fatalities as a result of speeding, 57 deaths because of distracted driving, 40 alcohol or drug-related fatalities and 40 deaths due to not using a seatbelt.

Operation Impact is led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.