Highways, trails, waterways to be patrolled
Oct 10, 2008 - 11:41 AM
DURHAM -- Police have launched an aggressive campaign to keep the area's roadways safe as the busy Thanksgiving weekend begins.
Ontario Provincial Police officers in Durham and Northumberland will join their colleagues across the province in the effort, targeting speeders, aggressive drivers, and impaired motorists.
The initiative began Friday morning and will continue through Monday night. OPP officers will be patrolling roads in cruisers and from above in aircraft, and also plan to set up RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) checks throughout the weekend.
Officers will also be patrolling trails and waterways during the weekend.
The Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally among the busiest on Ontario's roads, according to the OPP. Commissioner Julian Fantino said in a statement the weekend enforcement effort is a continuation of a year-long safety initiative that has seen a 30 per cent reduction in fatalities on the province's roads.
As of early October 240 people had died in collisions, compared to 362 over the same period last year, the commissioner said, noting that speeding, drinking and driving and failure to wear seatbelts were leading factors in those fatalities.
"The tragedy of losing a loved one in a traffic collision has touched many of us," Commissioner Fantino said in a statement.
"The involvement not only of the police but also the driving public is essential in making our roads the safest they can be."
Recommend :
Latest News
Snow guarantees slow rush hourDURHAM -- Overnight snowfall has left slushy and sloppy road conditions just in tie for the trip to work or school for many in Durham Region. Up to 10 cm of snow fell ...
Whitby house held after four people found dead in TorontoWHITBY -- Hours after the discovery of four bodies in east Toronto, police secured a home in Whitby, but won't say if it's connected to the incident. Durham police spokesman ...
Ready for snow?COURTICE -- The pre-snow rush has begun as homeowners and drivers head to the hardware store to stock up on supplies. "They're picking up the salt, ice melter, shovels, ...
Army invading Utica this weekendUXBRIDGE -- If you see army troops and military vehicles flooding north Durham this weekend, don't be alarmed. Members of The Ontario Regiment (Royal Canadian Armoured ...
Nuclear regulator holding meetings in DurhamDURHAM -- The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is holding two information sessions in Durham Region next week, where the performance of the two nuclear stations will be ...
Car fire in Ajax TuesdayAJAX -- A car was destroyed in a late night fire in Ajax Tuesday night. The blaze destroyed a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am parked in the driveway at 60 Burcher Rd. Ajax deputy ...
Don't sell 407, says AjaxAJAX -- Don't sell the 407 if it's extended east. Ajax doesn't want the Province to sell Hwy. 407 and to use the money raised from tolls to pay for Metrolinx ...
Forum on Zero Waste set for CourticeCOURTICE -- A group of area citizens is hoping an upcoming information night will help people recognize Zero Waste as a viable long-term strategy aimed at eliminating the need...
Police release video in shooting probePICKERING -- Police have released security camera video in hopes of identifying two persons of interest in a shooting last May in Pickering. The video captures images of two ...
Murder plot discussed in whispers: witnessWHITBY -- The conversation ran from mundane to murder when a police agent met with a high-ranking Hells Angel to discuss dealing with an underworld rival, a jury has been told...