Provincial police in Middlesex are sounding the alarm over a significant jump in the number of fatal collisions in the county so far this year.
Since January, Middlesex OPP officers have been called to 11 fatal crashes that resulted in the deaths of a dozen people. That is a 37.5 per cent increase in the number of fatal collisions in the area compared to the same time period in 2019.
"The sad reality to the fatal accidents which have occurred in Middlesex County is they were preventable," OPP Inspector Dean Croker said in a statement. "Please drive safely, please drive responsibly, and remember it is up to all of us to do our part to stop this unnecessary loss of life on our roadways."
Police alluded to the staggering increase in fatal collisions on Monday morning when they were called to a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 43-year-old London man in Thames Centre.
Jose Rayo was on Prospect Hill Road near Eight Mile Road when his vehicle went into the ditch and hit a group of trees. Police said the damage was "catastrophic." While the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, police believe speed was a factor in the collision.
"Unfortunately, Middlesex first responders have been forced to deal with horrific scenes eleven times in 2020 and that comes with an emotional toll," said Croker. "However, the emotional impact these scenes have on our first responders is nothing compared to the life-altering changes that occur to the affected families and friends. These events stay with them for life."
Over the first eight months of the year, Middlesex OPP have also been called to 100 crashes that left 147 people injured and 634 collisions that damaged property.
In order to lower risk factors when getting behind the wheel, police are advising motorists to never drive while impaired, wear a seatbelt, and put down distracting devices such as cellphones.
Approximately 2,000 people are killed and 165,000 are hurt annually in collisions on Canada's roads, according to OPP.
Anyone who spots a vehicle being driven in an erratic or dangerous manner is urged to call the nearest police authority.
