The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding motorists that a split-second decision behind the wheel can have devastating consequences as officers prepare to increase enforcement during Operation Safe Driver Week.
Running from July 12 to 18, the annual traffic safety campaign will see the OPP join law enforcement agencies across North America in focusing on dangerous driving behaviours through education, awareness and targeted enforcement.
Led by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), Operation Safe Driver Week is aimed primarily at improving safety involving commercial vehicles, while also reminding all motorists that safe driving is everyone’s responsibility.
During the week-long initiative, OPP officers will pay close attention to improper lane changes, following too closely, speeding, impaired driving and other reckless behaviours that contribute to serious collisions.
The campaign comes as commercial vehicle collisions continue to be a significant concern across Ontario. In 2025, the OPP investigated 8,826 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles within its jurisdictions. Of those collisions, 77 were fatal, resulting in the deaths of 95 people.
Police stress that collisions caused by unsafe driving are preventable and are urging both commercial and passenger vehicle drivers to make safe choices every time they get behind the wheel.
Commercial drivers are also reminded that complying with safety regulations—including vehicle inspections, hours-of-service requirements, proper cargo securement and the safe transportation of dangerous goods—is essential to protecting everyone on Ontario’s highways.
Operation Safe Driver Week is coordinated annually by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, bringing together law enforcement agencies throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico to reduce risky driving behaviours and improve road safety.
The OPP is encouraging all drivers to slow down, stay alert, avoid distractions, obey traffic laws and make safety their top priority throughout the campaign and beyond.
Find out more by visiting operationsafedriver.org.
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I am astounded daily, every single time I drive into town, at how much people follow too close (I will often simply pull over and let them pass even though I’m going the speed limit, they are so close I cannot see their plates), they speed, they even pass on double solid lines and hills/corners. If I had to suddenly brake for wildlife they would have no chance of stopping before they hit me. The OPP would be able to hand out thousands of tickets if they drove in unmarked cars doing the speed limit on Ravenscliffe Road, Brunel Road, and South Waseosa Lake Road. The drivers are terrible! And very stupid. There was one driver clocked at doing over 100 kph on South Waseosa when we were considering reducing the speed limit to 50 kph from 60 kph. Council in their wisdom (not) turned down the petition to do this even though other roads in the area (Fowler’s Road, North Waseosa, Old North Road) are all 50 kph. It’s so frustrating. Every single day.