The OPP notes that 296 people will not have the option to join family and friends for Thanksgiving this year.
This figure represents the number of people killed in traffic accidents on OPP-patrolled roads so far this year. "The vast majority of the road incidents that have tragically ended the lives of drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users were preventable and attributed to poor and careless actions and behaviours," says a news release.
Deaths linked to driver inattention are up 40 per cent over this time last year, with speeding, impaired driving, and seatbelt non-compliance among other factors contributing to the loss of life in 2024.
Cyclists and pedestrians have been particularly at risk this year, with fatalities in these two road user classes up 100 per cent and 82 per cent respectively over this time last year. Motorcyclist deaths are also up significantly, marking a 41 per cent increase.
The OPP is joining police services across Canada this weekend for Operation Impact. During the annual traffic safety campaign, officers will collectively target motorists who speed, drive distracted, impaired, or fatigued, as well as drivers/passengers who are not buckled up or do not have children/toddlers safely restrained in appropriate child car/booster seats.
Operation Impact is led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police under the leadership of its Traffic Safety Committee, in support of Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2025.
