OPP ramps up enforcement over August long weekend with aerial surveillance
Ontario Provincial Police will deploy extra officers and aircraft to monitor highway traffic from July 30 to Aug. 2, targeting speeding and distracted driving ahead of the busy holiday.
Sources · local media reports
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The Ontario Provincial Police are preparing for a surge of traffic over the August long weekend with increased officers and airborne spotters.
From July 30 to August 2, traffic officers in Central Region OPP will be supported by the Airplane Enforcement Program, which monitors driver behaviour from above and reports violations to ground units. The program will operate in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Dufferin, Caledon, Orillia, and Northumberland County.
Last year's Civic holiday weekend saw nine vehicle-related fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads. Over that same weekend, officers laid 3,514 charges for speeding, 512 for seatbelt violations, 204 for impaired driving, and 77 for distracted driving.
OPP Deputy Commissioner Karen Meyer urged drivers to prioritize safety. "Traffic enforcement is about preventing tragedies and creating safer roads for everyone," she said. "This weekend let's all work together to make safety a priority."
Drivers are also reminded to move over for emergency vehicles — a legal requirement in Ontario. Last year, OPP laid 170 charges against drivers who failed to comply with the "Slow Down, Move Over" requirement.
How many extra officers will OPP deploy this weekend compared to a normal weekend?
In the regions where the airplane enforcement program will operate, how many officers will be on the ground coordinating with the spotter?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
