The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says the number of fatal collisions caused by distracted driving has increased more then 40 per cent more then last year at this time.
Credit: WIRED
The OPP has stated that this year 63 people were killed in collisions where inattentiveness was the primary factor. In comparison mid-October’s number in 2023 saw a total of 287 people killed in collisions, where 43 of those were a result of distracted driving.
XFM news reporters spoke to OPP Sgt. Ed Sanchuk to understand how we can prevent fatal car crashes as a result of distracted driving.
“we’re asking passengers to speak up. If you see something in the vehicle, say something you see somebody texting, tell them to put the phone away, or let them take the phone and do the texting for the driver.”
“The driver should be focusing their attention solely on driving and operating that motor vehicle.”
Ed continues to express his remorse on the matter, “Unfortunately, time and time again. We are not knocking on doors telling people there loved ones are deceased as a result of a preventable crash.”
Ed finishes his statement by saying “life is never the same, it doesn’t get any easier. The pain is always there, by simply putting that cell phone away, you can prevent from injuring yourself or someone else in a real ways.”
Credit: Alex Lafleur XFM News
XFM news also spoke to Young drivers at Fanshawe to understand the fear that students might be feeling as a result of these shocking statistics.
One girl in particular almost broke into tears saying “it’s a lot to me, I had an uncle that passed away in an accident actually and just knowing that the numbers are going up is it’s just pretty sad and hurts to hear.”
Another young man eating his lunch told me “it’s very unsafe. A lot of people are dying from it so it’s like something we should definitely stop doing for sure”
Distracted driving is a big issue not just in London but all around the world and seeing these statistics is just a reminder of the importance of the law.
