Speeding No. 1 killer on Ontario roads as deaths rise from last year

By The Canadian Press and News staff

Provincial police say speeding is the No. 1 cause of road fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads in Ontario so far this year.

As of Monday, the force says speeding has been linked with 30 road deaths, compared to 17 at the same time last year.

And the OPP says officers have laid more than 1,400 charges so far this year against drivers clocked at 50 km/h or more over the posted speed limit.

Police say officers across the province will set their sights on speeding and all other forms of aggressive driving during the Canada Day long weekend.

Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair says speeding has become part of everyday behaviour for some drivers, noting OPP laid more than 240,000 speeding charges last year.

Speeders can face a jail term of up to six months, fines of up to $10,000 and prolonged licence suspension upon conviction.

The OPP will be out in full force over the long weekend, targeting speeding drivers and other forms of aggressive driving.

Over the Victoria Day long weekend, which coincided with Canada Road Safety Week, police laid around 9,400 speeding charges, 165 of which were street racing charges.

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