The Ontario Provincial Police are vowing to ramp up their patrols of Ontario roadways following an increase in the number of 2010 traffic fatalities compared to declines in two previous years.
In an attempt to curb fatalities, police will double their enforcement province-wide ahead of the August long weekend.
"Our provincial traffic safety program…led to some significant saving of lives in 2008 and 2009, but it is very disturbing to see the carnage on our highways start to creep back up again," OPP Chief Julian Fantino said in a news release Tuesday.
During the July long weekend, 16 people were killed on provincial highways, waterways and trails, police said.
In 2008, there were 322 highway traffic deaths on OPP-patrolled roads compared to 451 in 2007, the release states.
Last year, there were 310 highway traffic deaths.
The uptick in traffic fatalities is disturbing, Fantino said.
"Any loss of life due to irresponsible driving is unacceptable," he said.
Between Jan. 1 and July 25, 2010 there have been 163 deaths compared to 154 in the same period of 2009.
Between July 1 and 25, 2010 there have been 46 traffic deaths compared to 28 deaths in all of July 2009.
Fantino acknowledges that the 6 per cent increase in year-to-date traffic fatalities in 2010 is small and may be smoothed out by the end of the year, but, he promised that police would take action now with increased enforcement.
Drinking and driving-related traffic deaths have increased 29 per cent in 2010 while deaths attributed to lack of seatbelt restraint have increased 21 per cent, the release stated.
"Impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada and the penalties are severe. I have instructed all our officers to increase their vigilance and enforcement to save lives," said Fantino.
Changes to driving laws governing young drivers take effect Aug. 1. Drivers 21 years old and younger will no longer be able to have a drop of alcohol in their systems when they get behind the wheel.
Previous rules had allowed drivers to have consumed about one alcoholic beverage.
The changes, first tabled in 2009, followed several collisions involving youth who had been drinking.
One of the most devastating incidents took place in July 2008 when three Toronto men between the ages of 19 and 21 were killed in the Muskoka area when their vehicle left the road and ended up in Lake Rosseau. A female passenger escaped with minor injuries.
Reports suggest the group had been drinking at a nearby golf club before the collision.
Police suggest caution during summertime highway travel and remind people that safety risks also exist on provincial waterways and trails.
"During the recent Canada Day long weekend, 16 people lost their lives on Ontario highways, trails and waterways. This is why we will be doubling our efforts at enforcement to prevent fatalities this long weekend," OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey said.
"Take time to keep each other safe and set a safe example for others. Drive carefully, wear your lifejackets and seatbelts and ask others to do the same."
