The number of deaths caused by inattentive driving has tripled compared to last year, and provincial police are urging drivers to use more caution behind the wheel.
The Ontario Provincial Police said 12 people have lost their lives in collisions related to distracted driving on provincial roads as of May 4, which is a 300 per cent increase from the same time in 2019.
"Distracted driving isn't just about cell phones, it's also about programming your GPS or eating behind the wheel," said OPP Chief Superintendent Rohan Thompson in a news release. "Safe drivers mean safe roads. Drive like your life depends on it because it does."
A total of 71 people have died in 63 collisions so far this year. Last year at this time, 61 people had lost their lives as a result of 57 collisions.
So far this year, speed has been linked to a total of 17 fatalities, which is up from 15 in 2019. As well, seat belt-related fatalities have increased from 12 to 15, which is a 25.0 per cent jump over last year. Alcohol/drug-related fatalities climbed 20 per cent from 10 to 12.
The total number of pedestrian fatalities has also climbed 75 per cent this year to 14 people. Last year at this time, collisions had claimed the lives of eight pedestrians.
"Drivers need to carefully consider the main behaviours and actions that are linked to the many lives lost on our roads every year," said Thompson.
Provincial police responded to a total of 74,771 collisions in 2019, 304 of which resulted in 335 fatalities.
The OPP, along with other police services across Canada, will be participating in Canada Road Safety Week from May 12-18 in an effort to promote safe driving habits across the country.
