South Bruce OPP report two-vehicle crash; and Festive RIDE Campaign launch

MINOR INJURIES AFTER TWO-VEHICLE CRASH

(GREENOCK TWP, ON) - Nov. 21, at 4:27 p.m., the South Bruce OPP received the report of a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Highway 9 and Bruce County Road 20. 

Officers arrived to find that a silver Toyota Highlander had made a turn on Highway 9 and was struck by a black Peterbilt Transport truck.

The driver of the Highlander, a 61-year-old Carrick Township woman, was charged with careless driving. Both the driver and passenger of the Highlander were taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

OPP LAUNCHES FESTIVE RIDE CAMPAIGN - Nov. 24, 2017, to Jan. 2, 2018
 
(ORILLIA, ON) - Over the past 15 years (since 2003), 987 people have died in preventable alcohol- and drug-related collisions on OPP-patrolled roads.
 
Tragically, 464 (47 per cent) of the 987 deceased were innocent victims in these crashes, while the other 523 (53 per cent) were the at-fault impaired driver.
 
So far this year, 37 people have died in collisions linked to an alcohol- or drug-impaired driver, 19 of whom were innocent victims. Sadly, 2017 marks the fourth consecutive year in which figures show a higher number of innocent people killed than impaired drivers who caused the collision.   
 
With the annual Festive "Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere" (RIDE) Campaign getting under way this week, the OPP wants road users to take away an important message from the traffic fatality data.
 
"The staggering number of innocent people who die in alcohol- or drug-related collisions tells us that minding our own business about impaired drivers is the wrong thing to do," says OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair, provincial commander, Traffic Safety and Operational Support. "When you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1. If you are out with someone who is impaired and about to drive, present him with an alternative. If the impaired person proceeds to drive, call 9-1-1. As difficult as it may be to report someone you know to police, living with the decision not to is far worse if that driver goes on to kill someone or himself in a crash."
 
"As we gather with family and friends this holiday season, let's make safety a priority by planning ahead," says Marie-France Lalonde, Ontario minister of community safety and correctional services. "Whether arranging for a designated driver, taking public transit, or suggesting alternate arrangements for someone you think is impaired - simple steps can ensure everybody arrives home safely."

DID YOU KNOW?
 

• Through the OPP Drug Evaluation and Classification Program, officers are trained as Drug Recognition Evaluators, giving them the authority and tools needed to detect drug-impaired drivers. 
• As of Oct. 2, 2016, Ontario legislation carries penalties for drug-impaired driving that match those already in place for alcohol-impaired drivers.
• A Warn Range Suspension can be issued to drivers whose Blood Alcohol Concentration falls within the 0.05 to 0.08 range.

The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information that can assist police to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.