Over the Canada Day long weekend, OPP patrols were out in force to ensure everyone was enjoying the holiday safely.
South Bruce OPP Constable Melissa Barfoot says there is a real emphasis on seatbelts.
"We had 411 killed on OPP patrolled roads last year and among the victims were 69 people who were not wearing their seatbelts. Which either contributed to or was a primary cause of their death. So we're gonna be checking seatbelt compliance, and our marine unit will be out on active patrol this summer, too," Constable Barfoot explained.
In regards to safety equipment, Constable Barfoot says a big patrol focus this holiday weekend was on wearing proper safety equipment on bikes, watercraft and other recreational vehicles.
"Not wearing your helmet on an ATV trail, not wearing a lifejacket, certainly these are things we don't want to have to enforce, that's why the education piece is so important for South Bruce OPP to get the message out there, so we don't see any of our community members risk their lives or other people's lives by not using the proper safety equipment," Constable Barfoot pointed out.
If anyone has any questions or confusion over safety equipment and guidelines, there are some easy to access resources available.
"You can head over to the Ministry of Transportation website (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/bicycle-safety.shtml) on bicycle safety and you can check out some quick facts regarding safety equipment with your bicycles, and you can also visit OPP.ca where we have a link on bicycle safety," shared Constable Barfoot.
Under the Highway Traffic Act, a bicycle is a vehicle, and cyclists are expected to follow the rules of the road. Constable Barfoots says that the responsibility for safe roads this summer is shared by drivers and cyclists.
"Highway safety, bicycle safety, it's everybody's responsibility. So if you see anything in terms of aggressive driving, impaired driving, anything that causes you concern for yourself or your family, you can call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 to report that, or call Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous," concluded Constable Barfoot.
Here are some tips from the OPP to help protect cyclists:
Vehicle drivers
· Maintain at minimum a one metre distance when passing a cyclist.
· Watch for passing cyclists when opening door into traffic.
· Slow down when overtaking a cyclist on a road.
Cyclists
· Check for vehicles and cyclists with the right-of-way before entering the intersection.
· Keep your place in the line of traffic when approaching an intersection.
· Ride in a single file and to the right side of the road to help vehicles make a safe pass.
· Stop at stop signs when approaching an intersection and yield the right-of-way to traffic.
· Always wear a proper helmet when cycling.
· Rules of the road like stopping at stop signs or stop lights apply to cyclists
· Fail to keep right when driving at less than normal speed carries a $150 fine