THUNDER BAY - Police in the northwest are anticipating high volumes of traffic this long weekend and will be watching out for any bad behaviour behind the wheel.
Starting Friday, Oct. 9 to Sunday, Oct. 12, Operation Impact 2020 will begin which aims to promote safety and prevent collisions on Canada's roads.
The awareness campaign is an annual event which targets impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers.
“A lot of focus as of late in the last few years is on distracted driving and of course the traditional impaired driving,” Chief Doug Palson with Dryden police said.
Police will be taking proactive measures when it comes to distracted and impaired driving. Officers will also be watching out for those not wearing a seatbelt.
In a news release, OPP said they responded to more than 200 fatal motor vehicle collisions which claimed 224 lives.
Police say speed continues to be a leading factor in fatal road deaths. OPP say they have seen nearly a 30 per cent increase in excessive speeding this year and laid almost 6,800 charges related to racing and stunt driving to date.
"All it takes is a firm commitment to refrain from engaging in dangerous behaviours and habits that cut innocent lives short and leave many victims with life-changing injuries every year,” OPP Chief Superintendent Rohan Thompson said in a news release.
