ONTARIO - Over the past few weeks, the number of fatal motor vehicle collisions has continued to rise within the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Central Region, according to OPP. So far in 2017, 21 people have died in motor vehicle related collisions where two primary causal factors have been identified. These factors are: crossing over the centre line (13 deaths) and failing to negotiate a curve in the roadway (eight deaths).

"As we approach the Labour Day Long Weekend, there will be a marked increase in the number of motor vehicles travelling upon area roads and highways. By staying on your side of the road and not crossing the centre line and safely negotiating any curves in the road, I am hopeful that the commonalities that we have identified can be reduced and ultimately prevent any unnecessary deaths" said chief superintendent Rose DiMarco, regional commander of the OPP Central Region.

Multi-lane roadways will have solid yellow lines painted upon them in order to ensure that a motor vehicle travels on the right side of the road. The solid line may be interrupted at times and be presented as a broken line to allow for passing, but this can only be done if the driver sees that such a manoeuvre can be safely conducted and completed without affecting oncoming traffic. A double solid line will exist to remind drivers that the portion of the road being travelled upon has been deemed not safe at that location for any passing attempt.

Road safety is a shared responsibility; OPP ask that you do your part to ensure that any travel this weekend is safe for all those using our roads.