Distracted driving leading cause of fatalities in Northwest

THUNDER BAY -- The Ontario Provincial Police have released the latest numbers, detailing highway fatalities so far this year.

During the first nine months of 2017, there were a total of 239 people killed on provincial highways.

What's even more frightening than that, is that 182 of those deaths had one or more of the big four casualty factors as contributors.

Inattentive driving played a role in 63 deaths, speeding was part of 56, alcohol and drug impairment was involved in 32 of them and not wearing a seatbelt was a factor in 31 of those fatalities.

In Northwestern Ontario, the OPP have responded to 19 fatalities so far this year.

Inattentive driving contributing to six deaths, speeding played a part in two, alcohol or drugs in two, while the lack of seatbelts was a contributor in three deaths.

In an effort to reduce those numbers and prevent future tragedies, the OPP will be launching their annual enforcement campaign called Operation Impact, this Thanksgiving long weekend.

(TBT News)