Mid Summer Traffic Reality Check

(PERTH COUNTY, ON) As summer progresses the Perth County OPP want motorists to remain vigilant pertaining to their driving habits. During the week leading up to the Civic Day Long Weekend, officers will again be running a “STOP AND LOOK CAMPAIGN”. This campaign focuses on intersection related offences which continue to be the cause of many injury related collisions.

From June 01 – July 27, 2012, Perth County OPP officers have investigated twenty four intersection related collisions. The majority of these crashes resulted in the transportation of the vehicle occupants to local hospitals for medical treatment. Fortunately none of these collisions resulted in a fatality but the possibility was there.

Perth County has over 1,150 intersections with the majority of these relying on stop signs as traffic control devices. Many of these intersections are controlled by “two way stops” controlling the crossing roads with a speed limit of 80 km/h. (Higher speeds result in a greater possibility of serious injury or death).

It is also important to note that this time of year many of Perth County’s intersection become more hazardous as the corn is at its tallest resulting in obstructed views.

“I have urged my officers to utilize their available time for intersection enforcement during this campaign. Our hope is to raise awareness of traffic controls at intersections and encourage drivers to “Stop and Look”. We want the motoring public to be able to enjoy their summer time travels in safety” Inspector Steve Porter, Perth County O.P.P. Detachment Commander.

Interesting to note:

– Most of Perth County’s fatal crashes occur during daylight hours in good driving conditions.

– You are 4 times more likely to crash when you are distracted while driving.

– Statistics indicate that there is no particular day that shows a spike in Perth County’s serious collisions. They happen any day of the week.

– Well over a third of the traffic fatalities in Perth County in the past six years were as a direct result of motorists failing to stop or yield at intersections. This includes the deaths in the tragic Hampstead crash this year.

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