Pointless highway deaths can be avoided: OPP

OPP reports most of the 382 road users who died on OPP-patrolled roads last year were involved in preventable collisions.

In a hard hitting report released Tuesday, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are pulling no punches when it comes to detailing how people died on Ontario’s roads in 2024.

Just ahead of national Canada Road Safety Week, OPP say the vast majority of the 382 drivers who died on OPP-patrolled roads in 2024 had their lives cut short due to poor or careless decisions and actions behind the wheel and in passenger seats.

So far this year, the OPP has responded to 86 fatal road collisions that resulted in 99 people losing their lives.

Among last year’s 344 fatal collisions, 95 fatalities were caused to speed and 80 of the deaths involved an inattentive driver.

Fifty-three fatalities were linked to alcohol consumption and/or drug use.

Police say the attitude among some drivers 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 of the motorcyclists were not the at-fault driver.

Additionally, 35 pedestrians and 12 cyclists were among those who lost their lives, many of whom also died through no fault of their own.

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During Canada Road Safety Week May 13-19, the OPP are joining policing partners across the country for one of the province’s toughest traffic enforcement and public education campaigns of the year.

Drivers are reminded to avoid 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 your family and fellow travelers safe.

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.