Ahead of national Canada Road Safety Week, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are reporting that the vast majority of the 382 road users who died on OPP-patrolled roads in 2024 had their lives cut short because of poor and careless decisions and actions behind the wheel and in passenger seats.
Among last year’s 344 fatal collisions, 95 fatalities were attributed to speed and 80 of the deaths involved an inattentive driver. Fifty three (53) of the fatalities were linked to alcohol consumption and/or drug use. The attitude among some road users that wearing a seatbelt is a “personal choice” cost 60 unbuckled drivers and passengers their lives.
The preventable loss of life on roads in 2024 extended well beyond motor vehicle drivers and their passengers. The 57 motorcyclists who were killed marked the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads in 20 years. Eighteen (18) of the motorcyclists were not the at-fault driver. Thirty five (35) pedestrians and 12 cyclists were among those who lost their lives, many of whom also died through no fault of their own.
During Canada Road Safety Week (May 13-19, 2025), the OPP are joining policing partners across the country for one of the most robust traffic enforcement and public education campaigns of the year.
Road users are reminded that avoiding the poor decisions and actions that result in a significant number of preventable fatalities and injuries every year will go a long way towards keeping you, your family and fellow travelers safe. Please do your part to help everyone get to and from their destinations safely every time you head out on the road.
Ahead of the Victoria Day Long Weekend, the OPP thanks all drivers, passengers, cyclists, off-roaders, boaters and paddlers who help keep themselves and others safe.
QUICK FACTS
· So far this year (2025), the OPP has responded to 86 fatal road collisions that resulted in 99 people losing their lives.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
