From July 15 – 21, 2018, the Ontario Provincial Police will be conducting a province-wide Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) enforcement initiative entitled “Operation Safe Trucking“. This initiative aims to reduce the number of CMV related collisions that result in injuries and deaths on OPP patrolled roads.
As the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) gears up for its Operation Safe Trucking campaign, it is dismayed at fatal transport truck collisions being up in all but two of the OPP’s six regions, with its North East Region marking the highest increase this year at 800 per cent.
The OPP has responded to 33 transport truck-related collisions so far this year, marking a 38 per cent increase when compared to this time last year. Forty one (41) people have died in the crashes.
During “Operation Safe Trucking“, OPP officers will focus on CMV drivers paying particular attention on distracted driving, impaired driving, aggressive driving and other moving violations, lack of seat belt use, compliance with inspection, equipment and hours of service laws as well as load security. CMVs found with mechanical, load security or other safety issues will be subject to inspections and enforcement action.
The OPP investigates thousands of preventable commercial motor vehicle (CMV) collisions every year, making this a serious road safety issue.
Last year (2017) marked a ten-year high in fatal CMV collisions, with 91 people being killed in 76 collisions. The OPP has investigated more than 3,600 collisions so far this year that involve a CMV.
“The OPP has never been more committed to its Commercial Motor Vehicle Collision Mitigation Strategy. We continue to work diligently with our road safety and trucking industry partners toward our goal of reducing the number of transport truck collisions on our roads. Despite our efforts, it takes a firm commitment to safe driving on the part of all transport truck drivers and other motorists in order to see a significant reduction in these types of collisions,” said Commissioner J.V.N. (Vince) Hawkes of the Ontario Provincial Police.
While the focus of the initiative is on transport trucks, officers will also be addressing dangerous behaviours on the part of all drivers.
The OPP acknowledges and commends the many safe CMV drivers who contribute to safe Ontario roads.