The Essex County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is disappointed with the results of a week-long blitz on local roads.
Between May 12 and May 18, Canada Road Safety Week, police laid 238 charges under the Criminal Code of Canada and Highway Traffic Act of Ontario.
Most of the charges were for speeding. A total of 210 drivers got tickets for that, but there were another 17 charges for street racing or stunt driving.
The blitz focused on four behaviours police say are responsible for the most deaths on OPP-patrolled roads: impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.
"The instances of drivers who continue to operate motor vehicles at excessive speeds on our highways, often while under the influence of alcohol is unacceptable," said Inspector Glen Miller, the detachment commander.
Police laid three charges for driving drunk.
"For those driers who assumed the OPP would not be stopping drivers for infractions during COVID-19, they assumed wrong," Miller continued. "The majority of our residents respect our traffic laws. However, we deal with that percentage of drivers who disregard the safety and wellbeing of themselves and others. Operating a motor vehicle is a significant responsibility and a privilege."
There were also four drivers stopped for failing to yield, and two caught for distracted driving. Another two drivers were charged with driving while prohibited and careless driving.
