Summary of WRPS Road Safety Traffic Plan Year in Review 2023

April 18, 2024, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The Waterloo Regional Police Service's (WRPS) Road Safety Traffic Plan Year in Review for 2023 unveils a comprehensive overview of road safety trends and enforcement efforts throughout the year. Amidst the dynamic landscape of traffic safety, overarching trends emerge, reflecting both progress and challenges in ensuring the well-being of motorists and pedestrians alike. From a notable reduction in fatal collisions to a concerning increase in major injury incidents, the report sheds light on the intricate interplay between enforcement measures and road user behavior. Against this backdrop, WRPS's strategic priorities for 2024 are outlined, signaling a commitment to address critical areas while fostering a safer road environment for all.

Summary of the WRPS Road Safety Traffic Plan Year in Review 2023

Fatal and Major Injury Collisions:

• Fatal collisions saw a significant decrease of 23%, totaling 10 with 10 fatalities.
• Major injury collisions, however, increased by 4.5%.
• Impairment was a factor in 2 out of the 10 fatal collisions.
• 60% of fatal collisions occurred on rural township roads.

Enforcement Results:

• Total road safety charges surged by 9% to reach 23,105.
• 8,201 Fatal Four charges were laid, targeting impaired driving, speeding, seatbelt use, and distracted driving.

Aggressive Driving:

• Stunt Driving charges rose by a staggering 19%, reaching 631 charges.

Impaired Driving:

• There were 939 total impaired driving charges, marking a 35% increase from 2022.
• A total of 101 drug recognition evaluations were conducted.
• 79 individuals were issued license suspensions, positioning WRPS as 5th provincially for issuing suspensions.
• Advanced roadside testing, including the use of ADSE, was utilized to detect drugs in young or novice drivers, resulting in 31 roadside suspensions.

Rural Townships:

• Rural township roads saw a total of 4,703 charges laid.
• An alarming 33% of Stunt Driving charges occurred on rural township roads.

Priorities for 2024:

• Reduce major injury collisions and fatalities through strategic targeting.
• Combat impaired driving through initiatives like RIDE, daily enforcement, and public awareness campaigns.
• Increase proactive road safety enforcement efforts.
• Continue enforcement endeavors in rural townships with a particular focus on aggressive driving.

By focusing on these key statistics and initiatives, WRPS aims to enhance road safety and reduce the number of accidents and injuries on Waterloo Region's roads in the coming year.

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Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

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