OPP targeting road and water safety this May long weekend

Many people in Ontario will be hitting the roads, trails, and waterways this May long weekend, as they kick off the summer season.

To help ensure safety for motorists and operators, the Ontario Provincial Police will be out conducting ride checks and added patrols targeting poor driving behaviour.

Policeare hoping the added enforcement will help curb the rising numbers of fatalities seen around the province in recent years.

"We focus of course on the 'big four' we call it, so the speed, seat belts, alcohol, and of course the biggest factor today that we see out there, or one of the biggest is the distracted driving," said Phil Young, Acting Staff Sergeant for OPP Northeast Region.

In 2023, OPP said 411 people lost their lives on Ontario roads. It was the first time the number of fatalities exceeded 400 since 2007.

Sgt. Young said, despite education and awareness campaigns, people don't seem to be getting the message when it comes to safety on the roads.

"We're seeing an increase when we should be seeing a decrease with the amount of safety implements that are in vehicles today. People just aren't getting the picture."

Sgt. Young said the number of incidents for the northeast region so far this year ishigher than this time last year.

Safety on waterways

Police willalso be out on the province's lakes over the long weekend, making sure boaters are complying with boating laws ahead of Safe Boating Awareness Week next week.

Officers will be checking for signs of impairment, and making sure boaters have proper safety equipment with them and are wearing life jackets.

"Unfortunately in the last 13 years of data, 87 per cent of our fatalities are because people are not wearing life jackets," said Dave Moffatt, the OPP's Provincial Marine Coordinator.

"So that's a huge number. That's 270 people out of312 that aredeceased because they're not wearing light jackets."

Last year, OPP say 23 people died in marine incidents, with 17 of those not wearing life jackets.

Moffatt said legally life jackets are not required to be worn while on the water, however, as part of their enforcement they are trying to change people's mentality and make wearing life jackets more of a habit.

"We're really trying to change the knowledge that people think they have of their life jackets," said Moffatt.

"It should be like a seat belt now where lifejackets should be on no matter what."

Moffatt said before people head out on the water, they should make sure they have enough life jackets with them, and they should carry a whistle, rope, and any other equipment required for their vessel.

Ultimately, Moffatt said people should use good judgment.

"It's the 'what if' scenario that people really have to think about, if there'sa real chance that it could happen."