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OPP issue warning after 19 people killed in collisions last week

Bicycle fatalities increased by 300 per cent over last year, police say
Germain Ma
Cruiser 2 (1)
Stock imagePhoto supplied by Ontario Provincial Police

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) issued a warning after an increase in deaths on Ontario roads, waterways, and trails.

So far this year, OPP say 259 people have been killed in collisions, including 19 people in the last week alone.

"Speeding right now is the number one killer in motor vehicle collisions across the province. I want [everyone] to understand the consequences of making a bad choice," said Sergeant Kerry Schmidt.

Distracted driving, aggressive driving, impaired driving, and people not wearing seatbelts or safety equipment are also leading causes of deaths.

Schmidt said all those categories are up compared with last year.

"A 300 per cent increase in bicycle fatalities investigated by the OPP this year. Eight riders have died already this season compared to two in the same period last year," he added.

The OPP is asking anyone who sees dangerous or aggressive driving on roads, trails, or waterways to call police.

"We will get officers responding to those incidents and try to intercept and interrupt that activity before someone dies," Schmidt said.