Ontario police launch safe driving campaign for Thanksgiving long weekend

Ontario Provincial Police and the Toronto Police Servicehave launched their annualsafe driving campaign just in time for the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Operation Impactwill crack down on what police call the "Big 4": inattentive, aggressive, impaired driving and drivers not wearing seatbelts.

"We just want to make sure drivers understand that they need to make proper and sound decisions for their safety, and their passenger's safety and the peoplethey share the road with on the highway," said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.

This year so far, 239 people have lost their lives from road collisions on OPP patrolled highways and Schmidt doesn't want to see any more fatalities this long weekend.

He advises driversto:

• Be aware of vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists and smaller vehicles
• Check for cyclists and pedestrians when making turns or changing lanes
• Avoid inattentive, aggressive and impaired driving
• Buckle up

Specialized highway enforcement teams and traffic units will be in full force this long weekend and ride checks will be conducted.