OPP: Speeding number one cause of deaths on roads

OPP officials say speeding drivers are the number one cause of road fatalities this year, with the death toll in this category 76 per cent higher than this time last year.

As of June 26, speeding has been linked with 30 deaths on OPP-patrolled roads, compared to 17 in 2016.

Excessive speed continues to threaten the safety of other road users with more than 1,400 charges laid so far this year by the OPP against drivers clocked at 50 km/h over the posted speed limit.

“For some drivers, instances of speeding and other forms of aggressive driving are frequent and for others, they are part of their everyday driving behaviour,” stated  Deputy OPP Commissioner Brad Blair.

“Last year, our officers laid more than 240,000 speeding charges against drivers who took the lives of other road users into their own hands.”

Marie-France Lalonde, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, added, “Aggressive driving-related deaths have dramatically increased in Ontario in the last year. We all have a responsibility to ensure our roads are safe ... remember to slow down, drive safely and respect your fellow motorists.”