About Us
Our Partners
In Ontario, summer driving can be particularly dangerous, despite the good weather and clear roads. While winter often sees more accidents overall due to poor road conditions, summer months experience a disproportionate number of serious, high-speed collisions and fatalities. This is often attributed to higher traffic volumes, increased speeds, and a higher incidence of risky driving behaviors like speeding and distracted driving.
Here’s why summer in Ontario is a high-risk period for serious car accidents:
- Increased Traffic and Travel:More people are on the road during the summer for vacations, road trips, and recreational activities, leading to higher traffic volume and increased potential for collisions.
- Higher Speeds:Good weather and dry roads encourage drivers to travel at higher speeds, which can lead to more severe accidents and injuries if a collision occurs.
- Distracted and Impaired Driving:While distracted and impaired driving are concerns year-round, the relaxed atmosphere of summer can contribute to these behaviors, further increasing accident risk.
- “Trauma Season”:Hospitals refer to the period from Victoria Day to Labour Day as “Trauma Season” due to the increased number of serious injuries from accidents, particularly those involving high-speed collisions.
- Vulnerable Road Users:The warmer months also see a rise in accidents involving vulnerable road users like cyclists and motorcyclists, who are at greater risk of injury in collisions.
To mitigate the risks of summer driving, consider the following:
- Drive Safely and Defensively:Be aware of your surroundings, anticipate potential hazards, and maintain a safe following distance.
- Obey Speed Limits:Even though the roads are clear, it’s crucial to adhere to posted speed limits to reduce the risk of accidents and severity of injuries.
- Avoid Distracted Driving:Put away your phone and other distractions while driving, and focus on the road.
- Be Mindful of Vulnerable Road Users:Share the road safely with cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
- Prepare Your Vehicle:Ensure your car is in good working order, especially the brakes and tires, before embarking on any long trips.
- Be Aware of Fatigue:If you’re feeling tired, take a break or switch drivers to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.
Our Leadership
Going forward in 2025, our new Co-Chairs are Guelph Wellington Paramedicine Program, Commander, Wendy Bieman who has been appointed to complete Councillor Sara Bailey’s 2 year term and Angelle Eybel, who will end her term in December 2026. Our executive includes representatives from Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health, Alexandra Fournier, Wellington County Counsillor, Mary Lloyd, Wellington County OPP, Inspector, Karen Medeiros, Wellington Health Care Alliance, Gianni Accetolla, and Luisa Artuso, Wellington County Social Services.
Our History
Back in 2012, a number of passionate organizations and individuals made it their goal to designate Wellington County as a Safe Community. Counsillor Gary Williamson, and Staff Sergeant, Jack Hunjan led the charge, becoming the first Co-Chairs for Safe Communities Wellington County. Wellington County was designated by Parachute Canada on June 2013 in the Township of Wellington North. Over the last few years the priorities have remained constant with Motor Vehicle Collisions On/Off Road, Falls Prevention and Intentional Self Harm as our top three. Our action groups have been busy helping prevent injuries across Wellington County, collaborating with different stakeholders to make more of an impact on safety across The County. Safe Communities Day, Falls Prevention Month, Safe Kids Week, National Teen Driver Safety Week and local events that Safe Communities runs and participates in, have already helped us reach upwards of 5000 people over the last ten years.
Press Releases
Safe Communities Wellington County participates in a variety of Events & Campaigns throughout the year. Our News and Events Page captures all of our media information that you can find here.
Safe Communities Designation
In 2023, Wellington County celebrated its 10th year as a designated Safe Community. Throughout the ten years, Safe Communities was able to run injury prevention events and campaigns that helped educate residents of Wellington County. In 2021, Safe Communities Wellington County partnered with injury prevention stakeholders to complete the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan for Wellington County. Safe Communities was fortunate to have the framework required to meet the requirements that was handed down by the solicitor General. Our injury priority areas still revolve around Falls, Motor Vehicle Collisions On/Off Road, Intentional Self Harm, Accidental Poisonings, Pedestrians and Cyclists, Sports and Recreation, and Agricultural, Machinery and Tools. We are fortunate to have four action groups that focus on Falls, Motor Vehicle Collisions, Mental Wellness and Accidental Poisonings. We are looking forward to expanding out stakeholder reach to have a more wholistic leadership table in injury prevention.