Operation Impact

The Ontario Provincial Police will be out in full force with other enforcement agencies across the country saving lives this Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend.

OPP officials say they have seen enough death and suffering on provincial highways resulting from careless drivers so they will participate in Operation Impact, a national campaign to make Canada's roads the safest in the world.

Full details contained in the news release below.

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October 6-9, 2006, Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, will mark Operation Impact, a national campaign to make Canada's roads the safest in the world.

The Ontario Provincial Police will participate in this special policing initiative alongside enforcement agencies across the country. Operation Impact is designed to remind people that an essential part of our enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways. Educating the public in safe driving practices is a priority and the focus will be on behaviours that put drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: impaired driving, improper seat belt use, and aggressive driving.

“The Ontario Provincial Police is collaborating on this project because we have seen more than enough death and suffering resulting from carelessness behind the wheel and we know it can be prevented, “ states Inspector Mark Andrews, Unit Commander – North East Traffic & Marine. “The driving public’s involvement is essential in achieving safer streets and highways."

Across the North East Region in 2005, 48 people were killed in 41 collisions - scores more where injured. In 2006, between January and September alone, 46 people died in 34 crashes. These are not just numbers - the statistics represent moms, dads, sisters, brothers, loved ones, co-workers, and neighbours.

Operation Impact is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and Transport Canada and is part of Road Safety Vision 2010. The goal is to make Canada's roads the safest in the world by 2010.

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