OPP Release Startling Numbers About Motorcycle Deaths

Published May 16, 2018 at 4:27 am

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With motorcycles and off-road vehicles expected to come out in large numbers over the Victoria Day long weekend, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are urging these recreational riders to use caution.       

Ahead of the weekend, OPP are reminding drivers about the tragic motorcycle season on OPP-patrolled roads last year.

Besides marking a ten-year high, what made last year’s 48 motorcyclist deaths “particularly tragic” was the fact that almost half (22) of them were not the at-fault driver, say police.

“Last year, the OPP saw the highest number of road fatalities in five years, with 343 people losing their lives,” said OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes. “Regardless of where your travels take you this week and over the weekend, please know that driving safely means driving the number of road deaths way down. The OPP, our policing partners and the thousands of families travelling on Ontario roads this week are counting on you to help make that happen.”

When it comes to off-road vehicles history repeated itself last year when nine of the 22 off-road vehicle drivers who died were not wearing a helmet. 

The same number of people were killed in 2016 with the same number of victims found without a helmet. The leading cause was loss of control, with 15 deaths over a two-year period.    

In addition to its long weekend motorcycle and off-road vehicle safety initiatives, OPP are also taking part in Canada Road Safety Week.

From May 15 to May 21, 2018, OPP and other Canadian police forces will carry out what they call an “education and enforcement campaign” aimed at the main causes of road deaths – not wearing a seatbelt and impaired, distracted and aggressive driving.

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