Operation Impact is a national campaign to make Canada's roads the safest in the world. It’s designed to remind people that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways.
"The deaths, pain and broken hearts that result from carelessness behind the wheel can be prevented," Deputy Chief Dwayne Pike said in a news release. “Police agencies across the country are collaborating on this project because they have seen more than enough of that, and because they know that the involvement of the driving public is essential to achieve safer streets and highways."
Educating the public in safe driving practices is a priority. The focus will be on behaviours that put drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: impaired driving, seat belt use, and all aspects related to aggressive and distracted driving. All enforcement agencies across the country have been invited to participate.
This initiative has been strategically chosen, as it is a significant long weekend. More people are traveling and traffic crashes are more frequent.
In Amherst, there have been several serious injuries over the last number of years related to vehicle collisions.
“These collisions represent moms, dads, sisters, brothers, loved ones, co-workers and neighbours,” Pyke said. “It is unacceptable to the Amherst Police Department. That is why, in support of Operation Impact, we are conducting several vehicle checkpoints throughout the long weekend.”
Operation Impact is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and member agencies of the CACP Traffic Committee from across Canada in support of Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2025, which has a goal of making Canada's roads the safest in the world.
