There are much fewer vehicles on the roads these days as non-essential businesses are shut down and many people are working from home during this global pandemic.
Despite that, Central Region OPP - which is headquartered in Orillia and serves the Sunshine City and other towns and cities across this part of the province - is seeing a "disturbing trend" on local roadways.
OPP Sgt. Jason Folz, who co-ordinates media for Central Region, said collisions involving drug impairment are on the rise and have increased 140 per cent over the same period last year.
140% increase of impaired by drug-related collisions emerges as a disturbing trend compared to this time last year in Central Region. There is no room for drivers risking the lives of others on our roads. #DriveSober or don’t drive. Report #ImpairedDriving, call 9-1-1. ^gp pic.twitter.com/EEI80TZx6f
— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) April 30, 2020
These drivers "pose a significant threat on Ontario roads," said Folz, stressing the OPP has a "zero tolerance" policy for alcohol and cannabis use among young, novice and commercial drivers.
He urges people to make the right choice and said the OPP will work to keep roads safe, adding the OPP is "committed to increase RIDE initiatives across the province."
