Police concerned over commercial crashes

OPP are concerned about the more than 1,200 commercial motor vehicle collisions it has responded to so far this winter.

They say not all CMV drivers are on board with the OPP’s call to change driving behaviours and help reduce the number of collisions on Ontario roads.  

Between November 1 and December 17 of this year, the OPP responded to 1,295 collisions that involved CMVs, with more than 220 of these incidents having occurred over the past 10 days alone.

In one recent incident, the driver of a tractor trailer drove into a bridge support, resulting in the jack-knifed truck leaking approximately 15,000 litres of diesel fuel into a creek.  

A news release says OPP continue to see large trucks lose control and roll over when the drivers ignore posted ramp speed advisory signs and fail to slow down when travelling on highway on/off ramps. 

With months of winter driving remaining, this is a particularly important time for drivers of large commercial trucks to drive within the speed limit and to slow right down when weather and road conditions deteriorate.

“The OPP acknowledges that many commercial motor vehicle drivers take their driving responsibilities seriously. But it is imperative that every person who drives a large truck recognizes the increased risks and social costs. The risk of death and serious injuries is greater and the property damage and disruption to the movement of traffic are more extensive when these large load-bearing vehicles are involved in collisions,” said Chief Superintendent Chuck Cox of the Highway Safety Division.

Nine of the CMV-related road crashes investigated by the OPP since November 1 resulted in the death. 

Since January 1st the OPP has responded to more than 8,850 collisions that involved a CMV, with 74 resulting in deaths.  

Last winter ended with more than 33,000 road crashes (in OPP jurisdiction).