County fatal collisions reach level for all 2016, city exceeds its total
Essex County OPP are urging local motorists to keep their eyes open and on the road after officers dealt with 14 fatal motor vehicle collisions this summer — including five deaths involving motorcycles.
“This summer has been a difficult time for motorcycle enthusiasts in Essex County,” wrote detachment commander Glenn Miller in a news release.
“As a result of these crashes, 2017 has left many families and friends grieving the loss of their loved ones.”
Miller’s statement follows the deaths this month of Bruce Elliott, 54, an Essex motorcyclist who fatally crashed in Lakeshore on Aug. 20; and Windsor couple Larry and Patricia Best, both 66, who were killed when their motorcycle was hit by an allegedly impaired van driver in Tecumseh on Aug. 13.
Miller noted that it can be difficult to see motorcycles at times. He reminded all drivers to take extra time to ensure roadways are clear before proceeding from stop signs, changing lanes, or making turns.
According to Miller, the number of road fatalities in Essex County thus far in 2017 has already equalled the total statistic for 2016 — and there are still four months to go in the year.
“A high level of enforcement on our highways will remain in effect,” Miller said. “It takes the actions of one driver to change the lives of people forever.”
Motorcycles haven’t been the only concern when it comes to regional road safety. The ChathamKent OPP detachment urged drivers to take greater care after officers stopped several dangerous behaviours in construction zones on Highway 401 last weekend.
Among those caught on Aug. 19 was a 30-year-old male driver from LaSalle, who tailgated another vehicle in the eastbound lanes of the 401 near Merlin Road — a section that’s under construction.
OPP were alerted by an occupant of the vehicle that was being followed too closely.
The tailgating driver sped past the complainant by using the emergency stopping area of the construction zone as a passing lane.
Officers were waiting for the driver as he exited the construction zone. He was charged with speeding and careless driving.
Miller said Essex County is lucky to have citizens who will immediately alert police when they see unsafe driving actions.
He warned that if you drive aggressively, drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or allow yourself to be distracted by mobile devices while driving, “you will be noted by those around you, and you can expect our attention.”
Windsor police had a similar message. There have been seven deaths involving motor vehicles in city limits so far this year — two of them during the summer months.
One of those deaths was Kevin Eh Say — a three-year-old boy who was fatally struck at Wyandotte Street West and Bruce Avenue in an alleged hit-and-run incident on July 3.
Windsor police spokesman Sgt. Steve Betteridge pointed out that in the majority of deadly incidents on city roads, speed is a factor. “Slowing down, having stopping distance, and paying attention to the roadway — those are things that will save lives.”
The number of Windsor traffic fatalities thus far in 2017 has already exceeded last year’s total of five — but Betteridge noted that the number is still within the range that has been established over the past five years.
And it’s an improvement compared to 2004, when Windsor had 13 deaths involving motor vehicles.
“That was an awful year,” Betteridge said. “So when we look at something like that to now, I think we are getting the message out.”
“But let’s not kid ourselves — our goal here is to get that (number) down to zero.”