Road deaths spike in SD&G in 2014

SD&G – While Eastern Ontario as a whole saw road-related deaths drop for a third year in a row, the same couldn’t be said when looking at SD&G.

Fatal crashes and deaths associated with those mishaps actually spiked in 2014 compared to the year before.

There were six fatal crashes (two of them were alcohol-related) and seven people died last year, compared to two crashes and two deaths in 2013.

Those 2014 crashes include:

• A passenger dies after striking a tree in a fatal snowmobile crash on Feb. 11, 2014.
• A passenger dies after striking a metal pole in a fatal snowmobile crash in South Glengarry on County Road 2 near 4^th Line Road on Mar. 2, 2014.
• A snowmobile operator dies after colliding with a tree on a trail in South Glengarry on Mar. 6, 2014.
• A Quebec motorcyclist dies after colliding with a car at the intersection of Highway 417 and County Road 20 on Sep. 18, 2014
• A cyclist from South Glengarry dies after being struck by a car on County Road 25 on Sep. 25, 2014.
• Two people die after a Chevrolet HHR enters the median of Highway 401 near Long Sault and strikes a culvert on Oct. 18, 2014
• It should be noted that SD&G O.P.P. did investigate the death of a driver on Jun 22, 2014 at the Cornwall Motor Speedway, though this incident was not recorded as a driving-related fatality.

The worst year in the last five years in SD&G was 2010 when 11 people died in 10 crashes.

Meanwhile in Eastern Ontario, there were 45 fatal crashes and 48 deaths in 2014.

But the O.P.P. says there is room for improvement.

“Unfortunately, deaths on our highways are a needless result of distracted driving, alcohol, aggressive driving, speeding and failing to wear a seat belt. Driving defensively within the posted limits and being focused will further assist in making our highways even safer,” said Chief Superintendent Daniel Redmond, Regional Commander, East Region.