ORILLIA, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are openly wondering if drivers of commercial vehicles are heeding their warnings about driving more safely this winter.

The force issued a press release saying it has responded to more than 1,200 commercial motor vehicle collisions in recent weeks.

The release says police are concerned that “not all CMV drivers are on board with the OPP’s call for motorists to change their driving behaviours and help reduce the number of collisions on Ontario roads.”

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 17, the force responded to 1,295 collisions that involved CMVs.

According to the release, “The OPP continues to see large trucks lose control and roll over when the drivers ignore posted ramp speed advisory signs and fail to slow down when travelling on highway on/off ramps. With months of winter driving remaining, this is a particularly important time for drivers of large commercial trucks to drive within the speed limit and to slow right down when weather and road conditions deteriorate.”

Chief superintendent Chuck Cox, provincial commander of the OPP’s Highway Safety Division acknowledged that many commercial motor vehicle drivers take their driving responsibilities seriously. At the same time, however, he said, “It is imperative that every person who drives a large truck recognizes the increased risks and social costs. The risk of death and serious injuries is greater and the property damage and disruption to the movement of traffic are more extensive when these large load-bearing vehicles are involved in collisions.”

Nine of the CMV-related road crashes investigated by the OPP since Nov. 1, 2014 resulted in the loss of life.

Since January 1, 2014 the OPP has responded to more than 8,850 collisions that involved a CMV, with 74 resulting in deaths.