Article ContentsArticle Contents Operation Safe Driver Week The Ontario Provincial Police and other law enforcement agencies across North America will participate in Operation Safe Driver Week from Sunday onwards. Officers will be focusing on “risky behavior” by both commercial and non-commercial drivers. The Ministry of Transportation and OPP will also ensure that commercial drivers adhere to required standards for vehicle maintenance, equipment, loads, and records. High Risk of Truck-Related Collisions The OPP reports that approximately 20% of fatal collisions in their jurisdiction this year involved trucks, highlighting the need for improved road-sharing practices between commercial and non-commercial drivers. Causes of Collisions The police cited speeding, improper vehicle spacing, and overtaking as common causes of truck-related collisions. In 2023 alone, the OPP investigated over 8,000 such incidents. Government Response Ontario’s Solicitor General and Transportation Minister emphasized the importance of road safety and announced stricter measures against dangerous driving, impaired driving, and ramped-up commercial vehicle enforcement.
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The police will be extra alert next week for ‘risky’ driving behavior, especially among truck drivers.
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Starting Sunday, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Ministry of Transportation and police services across North America will participate in Operation Safe Driver Week, with officers keeping an eye out for commercial and non-commercial drivers who “engage in risky behaviour.”
The ministry and OPP will also ensure that commercial drivers maintain their trucks, equipment, loads and records to “legally required standards” to ensure the safe transportation of goods across the province.
“Aggressive and careless drivers have no place on our roads, especially when it comes to large commercial vehicles,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. “Tragically, many families are paying a devastating price again this year — the senseless, preventable loss of their loved ones — because of drivers who make a conscious decision not to share our roads safely.”
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The OPP said about 20% of fatal collisions in their jurisdiction this year involved trucks, adding that it “paints a bleak picture of how commercial and non-commercial drivers share the road.”
“Dangerous driving puts everyone at risk,” said Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Road safety is a shared responsibility, and that’s why Operation Safe Driver Week is an important reminder to do your part: slow down, stay focused and follow the rules of the road.”
According to the police, there have been 31 fatal traffic accidents this year and 86% of the accidents were caused by bad behavior of private drivers. In the remaining incidents, the business drivers were at fault.
Speeding, improper spacing between vehicles and overtaking were cited as causes of collisions involving trucks. Last year alone, the OPP investigated more than 8,000 such incidents.
“Everyone deserves to come home safely to their loved ones at the end of the day,” said Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria. “That’s why our government is taking tougher action against dangerous and impaired driving and ramping up commercial vehicle enforcement to make Ontario’s highways some of the safest in North America.”
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