Easter long weekend traffic safety campaign: Here’s the latest update from the OPP

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues to enforce the Easter long weekend traffic safety campaign in eastern Ontario. (OPP)

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues to enforce the Easter long weekend traffic safety campaign in eastern Ontario.

A total of 14 drivers were stopped for speeding on Highway 401 in the Township of Augusta Saturday, The OPP said in a post on X.

“Driving 10 km/h over the speed limit doubles your crash risk, and driving 20 km/h over the limit increases your crash risk times six,” police said.

In North Stormont Township, police stopped and charged a 55-year-old driver for clocking 140 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on Highway 138.

A G1 driver is also facing charges after being stopped on Highway 417 in Ottawa Saturday, according to the OPP.

Police say the vehicle was stopped after officers received an alert from the Automated Licence Plate Recognition camera (ALRT), notifying that the registered owner was a suspended driver.

When the vehicle was stopped, police found that the owner’s niece was driving, police say, noting that she only had a G1 licence.

They also found that her 5-year-old child was not properly secured in the car seat.

She was charged for the child seat and G1 licence violations.

In Ontario, G1 licence holders must follow some restrictions:

• Always drive with an experienced driver with a minimum of four years of experience.
• Have zero blood alcohol level.
• All passengers must have their seatbelts fastened.
• The G1 driver cannot drive on 400-series highways. The only exception is when there is a licensed Ontario driving instructor in the vehicle’s passenger seat.

Campaign focusing on seatbelt enforcement

A provincial traffic safety campaign focusing on seatbelt enforcement is taking place this Easter long weekend in eastern Ontario. It started on Friday and will wrap up on Monday.

“All drivers and passengers must be properly restrained in a vehicle, regardless of the length of the trip. Young children must be properly restrained in a child car seat, and seatbelt use for passengers under the age of 16 is the responsibility of the driver,” the OPP said in a news release Wednesday.

Hitting the road without fastening your seatbelt can lead to a $240 ticket and two demerit points, says the OPP.

Wearing a seatbelt can save your life in the case of a crash, says the OPP, noting that the process of fastening your seatbelt only takes a moment.

Police say that though the focus this year is on seatbelt compliance, officers will also be looking for impaired, distracted, and aggressive drivers.