SUDBURY -- The unofficial last weekend of summer has arrived. Many are heading to camps, cottages and fishing trips to enjoy the Labour Day long weekend.
The Ontario Provincial Police will be launching a traffic safety initiative with a focus on what they call the ''Big 4'' to reduce injuries and deaths on Ontario's roads, waterways and trails.
The Big 4 consists of impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and not wearing a seatbelt.
Police said these high-risk behaviours account for the majority of motor vehicle collision fatalities and are completely preventable.
“What we want is a fatality-free long weekend,” said OPP Const. Michelle Coulombe. "Everybody get to their destinations safely, and enjoy it."
Jim Robinson, a member of member of Action Sudbury Citizens Against Drunk Driving, said it is important to have a ride home planned in advance if you plan on drinking.
“Anything with a motor in it," Robinson said. "Be sure you are not impaired when you get there. The motto we have is, ‘drive aware, not impaired,' and we ask everybody do that.”
Robinson added drinking and driving is a persistent issue in Sudbury and area.
Officers are urging motorists to drive safely as Labour Day marks the last long weekend of the summer. Road users should expect to see much higher volumes of traffic.
