Provincial police will be cracking down on bad driver behaviour to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely over the Civic long weekend.
The safe driving education and enforcement campaign will run through holiday Monday. It aims to ensure drivers are paying attention behind the wheel, wearing a seat belt, slowing down, driving sober, and moving over for emergency vehicles.
West Region OPP Sergeant Ed Sanchuk notes that failure to adopt these measures behind the wheel too often leads to preventable tragedies.
"Unfortunately, every long weekend police officers and emergency responders witness devastating crashes that change lives forever," said Sanchuk. "Many of these collisions involved behaviours that are entirely preventable including speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving and failing to wear a seat belt."
He suggests drivers remember the people waiting for them at home before setting out on the road.
"Before you start your vehicle this weekend, think about the people who are expecting you home. The choices you make behind the wheel will affect far more than just your own safety," said Sanchuk. "One moment of distraction, one poor decision can leave an empty chair at the dinner table for years to come."
Last year's Civic long weekend traffic safety campaign saw 1,425 charges laid in West Region. That includes 625 for speeding, 10 for distracted driving, 47 for impaired driving, and 148 seat belt infractions. An additional 19 drivers were charged with failing to move over for emergency vehicles as is required by law.
