Why is the Ontario Provincial Police in the news? The OPP is running Project Safe Haul, a truck safety blitz in Western Ontario until November 1. In Perth County, officers took 12 of 26 trucks off the road in one day. Ontario is also giving OPP units money to fight auto theft. Here is what it means for you.

Key takeaways

  • Project Safe Haul runs from October 13 to November 1 in the OPP West Region.
  • On October 21, Perth OPP checked 26 trucks. Twelve were taken out of service and 16 charges were laid.
  • A driver near Goderich got a $490 fine and 3 demerit points for not slowing down for a stopped police car.
  • Ontario is putting $6 million more into its Preventing Auto Theft grant. Five OPP units are on the list.
  • Over the Thanksgiving weekend, West Region OPP laid 2,152 charges. More than 1,000 were for speeding.

What is Project Safe Haul?

Project Safe Haul is a three week push by the OPP West Region. It started on October 13 and ends on November 1. Officers stop trucks and other commercial vehicles. They check the brakes, tires, steering and how the load is tied down. They also check the driver's papers.

"Commercial vehicle safety is a shared responsibility," said Staff Sergeant Lynn McNichol of West Region Traffic and Marine, as reported by CK News Today. "Our goal is simple: safer highways for everyone."

Some news sites call it province wide. The OPP's own words say West Region. So if you drive in Southwestern Ontario, from Windsor to the Bruce Peninsula, you are most likely to see it.

What officers found in Perth County

On October 21, Perth OPP checked 26 commercial vehicles in one day, CKNX reports. Here is what they found:

  • 12 vehicles were taken out of service.
  • 2 had their plates taken off and were called unfit.
  • 1 was called critically unsafe and pulled off the road.
  • 16 charges were laid under provincial law.

Provincial Constable Michael Craig said officers look hard at tires, wheels, brakes and the frame. He said these issues "can lead to catastrophic events such as wheel detachments."

I have been around trucks and shop floors for over 10 years. A wheel that comes off a big rig at highway speed is one of the worst things that can happen on the 401. A loose wheel can bounce across the median into oncoming cars. This is why these checks matter to people in small cars too.

We wrote about two other OPP truck stops earlier this month. You can read our story on 30 charges in two OPP truck stops.

A near miss on Highway 21

Highway 401 in London, Ontario, with cars, a van and a transport truck under green exit signs for Toronto and Wellington Road

Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Highway 401 at London, Ont., 2015.

On October 16, a Huron County OPP officer was doing a Safe Haul stop on Highway 21, just south of Goderich. He was out of his marked car with the lights on. A driver in the other lane passed another car and nearly hit him, the OPP said in a news release.

Police found the driver, a 40 year old man from Bayfield. He was charged under the Highway Traffic Act with failing to slow down and proceed with caution for an emergency vehicle. He got a $490 fine and 3 demerit points.

The rule is simple. When you come up on a police car, fire truck, ambulance or tow truck with its lights on, slow down. If it is safe, move over one lane. Do not pass other cars at that spot.

Money to fight auto theft

On October 16, the Ontario government said it is putting another $6 million into its Preventing Auto Theft grant for 2026 to 2027. The money goes to 22 police projects. Ontario says the total since 2023 is now $24 million.

These OPP units are on the province's list:

OPP unit Amount
Caledon Detachment, Central Region $300,000
Middlesex and Elgin Detachments $300,000
Essex County Detachment $200,000
Norfolk County Detachment $196,000
Grenville County Detachment $187,500

Windsor News Today reports that auto thefts in Ontario are down 36% from their peak since 2023. Essex County OPP Superintendent Mark Loucas said the grant will help with "proactive policing, specialized training, and stronger partnerships."

My advice has not changed. Thieves still go after popular SUVs and pickups. Park in a garage if you can. Use a steering wheel lock. If your car uses a key fob, keep it away from the front door.

Thanksgiving weekend: speed was the big one

The OPP West Region also shared results from its Thanksgiving traffic push, Operation Impact. It ran from October 9 to 12. Grant Haven Media reports these numbers:

  • 2,251 traffic stops
  • 2,152 charges in total
  • 1,030 speeding charges
  • 83 seatbelt charges
  • 41 impaired driving charges
  • 15 distracted driving charges

Almost half of all the charges were for speed. That matches what I see on the road every fall.

What this means for you

If you drive a car or SUV, you do not need to do anything new. But expect more police on rural highways until November 1. Give trucks room, and slow down and move over for any stopped car with flashing lights.

If you drive a work truck or pickup used for business, check your daily inspection report and your tires before you go. Winter is close, so it is a good time to look at your oil too. See our guide to engine oil before winter and how cold weather changes fuel use.

You can also read about the Canada and Ontario auto plan and the latest Ford truck recalls.

A note: a charge is not a finding of guilt. The people charged have not been to court yet.

FAQ

The OPP shared many road safety stories this week. The main one is Project Safe Haul, a truck safety blitz in Western Ontario. Ontario also named OPP units that will get money to fight auto theft.

When does Project Safe Haul end?

It runs from October 13 to November 1, 2026. It is led by the OPP West Region.

What is the fine for not moving over for police in Ontario?

In the Huron County case, the driver got a $490 fine and 3 demerit points. The charge was failing to slow down and proceed with caution for an emergency vehicle.

Does Project Safe Haul check regular cars?

The blitz is for commercial vehicles like transport trucks. But officers still stop any driver who breaks the law, like the driver near Goderich.

Which OPP detachments got auto theft money?

Ontario's list names Caledon, Middlesex and Elgin, Essex County, Norfolk County and Grenville County. The amounts go from $187,500 to $300,000.

Related: Read our guide to drunk driving in Canada: the law, the limits and the fines.

Sources

#auto theft#Ontario#OPP#road safety#truck safety