OPP call for responsibility on roads, trails, lakes this long weekend
As we head into the Labour Day long weekend, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are stressing that drivers follow all of the rules of the road.
An undated photo of an Ontario Provincial Police reduce impaired driving everywhere program (RIDE) traffic stop. (File photo/Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Police are conducting a four-day blitz focusing on what they call the ‘big four.’
Whether you’re travelling by car, boat, or ATV this long weekend, officers said that they will have an eye out for any lawbreakers.
“Don't take the chance. It's not worth it,” said Const. Michelle Simard.
“It's not worth your life and it's certainly not worth the lives of others.”
This long weekend, police are conducting traffic blitzes to focus on four laws that they continue to see drivers disobey:
- Aggressive driving/speeding/distracted driving
- Alcohol/drug-impaired driving
- Not moving over for emergency vehicles
- Lack of or improper use of seatbelts
Police officials told CTV News that these behaviours are the main causes of death and injury in motor vehicle collisions on OPP-patrolled roads. Close to 13,000 speeding charges have already been laid in the northeast region alone since Jan. 1.
“These are charges that we see reoccurring all the time,” said Simard.
“We need to remind drivers, first of all, that it's a privilege to have a driver's license. That’s number one.”
OPP statistics painted a dark picture of last year’s Labour Day weekend enforcement.
An Ontario Provincial Police vehicle with the front passenger door opened. (File Photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)
There were 10,000 traffic charges across the province last Labour Day weekend. Nearly 5,900 of them were for speeding, while close to 140 were for stunt driving and a whopping 458 charges were laid for people not wearing a seatbelt.
There were a number of fatal incidents that occurred on roads, waterways and trails over the last Labour Day long weekend, resulting in the deaths of six people in Ontario.
An undated photo of Ontario Provincial Police and other first responders at the scene of a motor vehicle collision on a northern Ontario highway. (File photo/Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“Whether it’s 10 in the morning or 10 at night, will be out there in full force for sure, ensuring that everybody enjoys a safe holiday weekend,” Simard said.
An undated photo of an Ontario Provincial Police reduce impaired driving everywhere program (RIDE) traffic stop. (Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)
Across the entire northeast region, officers have laid over 210 stunt driving charges, over 150 distracted driving charges and nearly 400 seatbelt-related charges this year.
A seatbelt. (Pexels/Luke Miller)
Additionally, officers have laid over 710 impaired driving charges.
A glass of whiskey with ice, car keys and police handcuffs. (File photo/AlexRaths/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
That’s a number that organizations like MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) remain deeply frustrated with.
“This is an issue that has been spoke about by ourselves, other traffic safety organizations, and governments for decades now,” said Eric Dumschat, MADD’s legal director.
“It's still very disappointing to see that there are so many people who have yet to understand the message that impaired driving kills.”
Ontario Provincial Police are urging the public to report suspected impaired drivers. (File photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)
Police urge anyone who witnesses unsafe driving or boating to contact them.
Top Stories
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
TOP STORYTOP STORY What you need to know about COVID-19 as we head into fall
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TOP STORY
TOP STORY What you need to know about COVID-19 as we head into fall
As we head into another respiratory illness season, here’s a look at where Ontario stands when it comes to COVID-19 and what you need to know.
More new cars no longer come with a spare tire. Here's what you need to know
Vehicles used to come with a "full-sized" spare tire, but about 30 years ago, auto manufacturers moved to a much lighter, smaller tire, sometimes called a "donut spare." But now, depending on the car you have, it may not have any spare at all.
Son charged with 1st-degree murder after father's death on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast
A 26-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of his father on the Sunshine Coast last year.
Tuesday's Lotto Max draw set to hit all-time Canadian record of $80 million after no Friday winner
In a Canadian lotto first, the national Lotto Max jackpot has reached an estimated $80 million prize.
NCAA approves Gallaudet's use of a helmet for deaf and hard of hearing players this season
The NCAA has given full approval for Gallaudet’s football team to use a helmet designed for players who are deaf or hard of hearing for the remainder of the season.
From an apartment in Vancouver to a storage container near Saskatoon, how 2 teenagers’ airplane finally gets unveiled to family decades later in Ontario
Decades after soaring through Vancouver's skies, spending years in a storage container in Saskatoon, and finally being restored in Ontario, a plane built by hand by two teenagers at the height of the Great Depression will be unveiled to their family for the first time.
What's behind the boom? The Manitoba community that nearly doubled in a decade
For decades, the Town of Ste. Anne was stagnant, but that all changed about 10 years ago. Now it is seeing one of the highest spikes of growth in the province.
Stampeders return to Maier at QB eyeing chance to get on track against Alouettes
Mired in their first four-game losing skid in 20 years, the Calgary Stampeders are going back to Jake Maier at quarterback on Saturday after he was benched for a game.
China is raising its retirement age, now among the youngest in the world's major economies
Starting next year, China will raise its retirement age for workers, which is now among the youngest in the world's major economies, in an effort to address its shrinking population and aging work force.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Barrie
-
Indoor pickleball facility to open at Georgian Mall
Pickleball fever is taking over the City of Barrie, with its first state-of-the-art indoor pickleball facility in the former Sears site at Georgian Mall.
-
Graphic evidence presented in trial of man accused of 1994 Barrie murder
The jury was shown an exhibit video for the first time on Friday that took them inside Katherine Janeiro's Barrie apartment in the hours that followed her violent death 30 years ago.
-
Muskoka man fined heavily for possessing illegal bear parts
Conservation officers are urging hunters to follow the rules after a Muskoka man was fined for illegally possessing bear parts.
Toronto
-
TOP STORY
TOP STORY What you need to know about COVID-19 as we head into fall
As we head into another respiratory illness season, here’s a look at where Ontario stands when it comes to COVID-19 and what you need to know.
-
Tuesday's Lotto Max draw set to hit all-time Canadian record of $80 million after no Friday winner
In a Canadian lotto first, the national Lotto Max jackpot has reached an estimated $80 million prize.
-
From an apartment in Vancouver to a storage container near Saskatoon, how 2 teenagers’ airplane finally gets unveiled to family decades later in Ontario
Decades after soaring through Vancouver's skies, spending years in a storage container in Saskatoon, and finally being restored in Ontario, a plane built by hand by two teenagers at the height of the Great Depression will be unveiled to their family for the first time.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING How Ottawa LRT service has changed in 5 years
On this fifth anniversary of LRT, CTVNewsOttawa.ca compares the system we were promised to the system we have.
-
Longtime Ottawa MPP Lisa MacLeod announces she won't seek re-election
Longtime Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod has announced she will not be seeking re-election in the next provincial election, bringing an end to a lengthy time at Queen's Park.
-
Somali community alarmed after Ottawa police officers wiretapped, watched
Members of Ottawa's Somali community came together Thursday to denounce the Ottawa police use of wiretaps and video surveillance on five of its own Black officers of Somali decent and their family members.
Kitchener
-
Sisters finally see the Canadian 'aviation artifact' built by their father nearly 90 years ago
Two sisters have finally been reunited with a plane their father built 90 years ago, that is also considered an important part of Canadian aviation history.
-
Hog Heaven: Friday the 13th takes over Port Dover, Ont.
The streets of Port Dover roared to life on Friday for a tradition that has been going on for decades.
-
Blue-green algae found in local lakes and reservoirs
The hot summer weather has created the perfect conditions for blue-green algae in local lakes and reservoirs.
London
-
'It's clear that they have no respect for workers': union leadership regarding Western strike
The rally on Wellington Street, near London City Hall, was in support of strike CUPE local 2361 members, who are now entering their third week on the picket line.
-
More new cars no longer come with a spare tire. Here's what you need to know
Vehicles used to come with a "full-sized" spare tire, but about 30 years ago, auto manufacturers moved to a much lighter, smaller tire, sometimes called a "donut spare." But now, depending on the car you have, it may not have any spare at all.
-
St. Thomas police respond to two shoplifting incidents the same day
On Friday morning, police say that an east end business reported a female shoplifter that had taken things from the store the day prior.
Windsor
-
The new provincial planning policy and its impact in Windsor-Essex
The province has released new planning guide for municipalities across Ontario aimed at increasing the volume and variety of housing built.
-
TOP STORY
TOP STORY What you need to know about COVID-19 as we head into fall
As we head into another respiratory illness season, here’s a look at where Ontario stands when it comes to COVID-19 and what you need to know.
-
Impending Air Canada strike won't affect local travel, but could cause broader disruptions
Windsor International Airport is serviced by Air Canada Jazz, and officials have confirmed that in the event of a pilot strike, that carrier can continue to operate.
Montreal
-
Montreal byelection: Here's what the four party leaders are offering in LaSalle-Emard-Verdun
The leaders of the four major Canadian political parties - Justin Trudeau, Yves-Francois Blanchet, Jagmeet Singh and Pierre Poiliever - made their pitches for why voters should choose their parties in the upcoming Montreal byelection in LaSalle-Emard-Verdun.
-
Montreal man seeks living kidney donor as dialysis takes toll
A 25-year-old Montreal man is looking for a living kidney donor and has made a public appeal on social media. Until he finds one, Julian Zadrozny must undergo 10 hours of dialysis a day.
-
Montreal man dead after stabbing in Ottawa's ByWard Market
A man from Montreal is dead following a late night stabbing in Ottawa's ByWard Market.
Winnipeg
-
'We're serving Manitoba's greatest needs': Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg marking 100th anniversary
The Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg held its first meeting on Feb. 20, 1924. The club is marking its 100th anniversary this month.
-
What's behind the boom? The Manitoba community that nearly doubled in a decade
For decades, the Town of Ste. Anne was stagnant, but that all changed about 10 years ago. Now it is seeing one of the highest spikes of growth in the province.
-
1 dead, 3 injured in Friday morning crash on Portage Avenue
One person has died and three people were injured following a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian at a Portage Avenue intersection Friday morning.
Atlantic
-
Missing N.S. woman believed dead; man charged with first-degree murder
Police in Nova Scotia now believe a woman reported missing earlier this month is dead, and a man has been charged in her disappearance.
-
How do you like them apples? U-pick season underway in the Maritimes
Many orchards in the Maritimes are getting ready for apple picking season
-
Halifax focuses on voter accessibility ahead of municipal election
Halifax Regional Municipality is focusing on voter accessibility ahead of the October election.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador monitoring rise in whooping cough cases: medical officer
Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer is monitoring the rise of whooping cough infections across the province as cases of the highly contagious disease continue to grow across Canada.
-
Dispute over unrecognized Inuit group halts major conference for Canadian North
A 16-year-old biennial event aimed at fostering business in the country's eastern Arctic and northern regions has been cancelled indefinitely as a dispute unfolds between Inuit in Canada and a Labrador group claiming to share their heritage.
-
Cow cuddling: Why a Newfoundland farm is offering quality time with these 'gentle creatures'
Jim Lester’s farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
Calgary
-
Fugitive wanted in connection with Rocky View County murder arrested
Mounties have captured a fugitive wanted for murder and on the run since early August, and it happened while they were working another case.
-
Stampeders return to Maier at QB eyeing chance to get on track against Alouettes
Mired in their first four-game losing skid in 20 years, the Calgary Stampeders are going back to Jake Maier at quarterback on Saturday after he was benched for a game.
-
k.d. lang gets the band back together for Canadian country music awards show
The return of k.d. lang and the Reclines is expected to be a highlight as the Canadian Country Music Association hands out its annual hardware tonight in Edmonton.
Edmonton
-
k.d. lang gets the band back together for Canadian country music awards show
The return of k.d. lang and the Reclines is expected to be a highlight as the Canadian Country Music Association hands out its annual hardware tonight in Edmonton.
-
Fugitive wanted in connection with Rocky View County murder arrested
Mounties have captured a fugitive wanted for murder and on the run since early August, and it happened while they were working another case.
-
Pumpkin spice in Edmonton: A guide
It isn't hints of eggnog and peppermint thrilling our senses at Edmonton cafes and stores, at least not yet: Pumpkin spice is back again for another season.
Regina
-
Drugs and guns found following trafficking investigation in Regina, 2 charged
Two people are facing charges after officers seized items valued about $900,000 following a drug trafficking investigation on Thursday.
-
'Without a burdening carbon tax': Sask. investing over $25M into 13 emissions reduction projects
The provincial government says it will be investing more than $25 million into 13 industry driven emissions reducing projects through a special fund.
-
Saskatchewan artist fundraising to help family whose son has genetic disease
A Regina based artist is using his platform to fundraise for the family of a young boy with a genetic disease.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatchewan hospitals report 1,305 service disruptions since 2019, data shows
Data from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), obtained by the provincial NDP through a freedom of information request, shows that between August 2019 and May 2024, there were more than 200,000 hours of healthcare blackouts at 58 hospitals and health centres, not including Saskatoon and Regina.
-
New OSB mill construction in Prince Albert set for 2025
After years of delays and planning, a new oriented strand board (OSB) mill is coming to Prince Albert.
-
Sneak peek opportunity at Prince Albert aquatic and arenas recreation centre
The new Aquatic and Arenas Recreation Centre continues to take shape, and the City of Prince Albert is excited to show off the progress to residents.
Vancouver
-
Coquitlam ice rink evacuated due to 'dangerously high' levels of carbon monoxide
A Coquitlam ice arena had to be evacuated Tuesday due to elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
-
'Such a rush': Vancouver makeup artist wins second Emmy award
A born-and-raised Vancouver resident is among the film and television artists from the FX drama Shogun who swept the Creative Emmy Awards.
-
Staff member hospitalized after assault at B.C. maximum security prison
A corrections officer at B.C.'s only maximum security federal prison was taken to hospital after an assault earlier this month.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. woman reveals greatest life lesson after celebrating 100th birthday
“There has to be love in your life and forgiveness,” Hilda smiles. “I think the only way out of the mess in the world is to start loving each other.”
-
Canadian warship seizes 1,400 kilos of cocaine off Central America
A Canadian warship has seized more than 1,400 kilograms of cocaine during an anti-drug-trafficking operation in Central America.
-
Police investigating suspicious death in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties have launched a suspicious death investigation after a man was found dead Thursday in Nanaimo, B.C.
