The Ontario Provincial Police are reporting on a worrisome trend- the increase in road fatalities this year versus last.
Police say that as of May 4th, 71 people have lost their lives on OPP-patrolled roads; that’s ten more than in 2019.
Speeding is the top killer, attributed as cause in 17 fatals.
There has been a 300 percent increase in deaths due to inattention, which now total 12.
There is no good news in this picture- all other leading traffic fatality causal factors are up, as are fatal collisions and pedestrian deaths.
Year-to-year, fatal collisions are up 10.5%; persons killed, up 16.4%; speeding deaths, up 13.3%; seat-belt related, up 25%.
Alcohol or drug-related fatalities are up 20% versus last year; pedestrian deaths have climbed 75%- and, as we mentioned not paying attention figures have soared by 300%.
Police hop they have your attention now.
The OPP responded to 74,771 collisions last year- a five-year high.
Canada Road Safety Week is May 12th to the 18th.
