OPP officers across midwestern Ontario are focusing on young motorists to mark National Teen Driver Safety Week.
Acting Sergeant Barry Cookson of the Perth County OPP said the awareness campaign is designed to make the public aware of teen driver safety issues.
"We want to remind all the teen drivers out there about the dangers of impaired driving, whether it's drug or alcohol," he said.
OPP said youth represent the largest number of drivers who test positive for drugs or alcohol after a fatal crash, and 32 per cent of fatally injured drivers aged 16 to 19 tested positive for marijuana.
The number of Canadian drivers killed in car crashes who test positive for drugs now exceeds the number who test positive for alcohol.
South Bruce OPP officers will be conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checks and information sessions at both high schools in Walkerton on Tuesday. Officers will be also out at the high school in Kincardine on Thursday.
Parachute Canada, a national injury prevention organization is leading the awareness campaign designed to make the public aware of teen driver safety issues and encourage communities to be a part of the solution.
