In an update to the NRP services board Nov. 27, Police Chief Wendy Southall said that so far this year, Niagara has had 26 fatal motor vehicle collisions in which 28 people have died. Over the same period last year, there were 28 fatal collisions resulting in 29 deaths.

"We're never thrilled to give this announcement," she said of the deaths. Niagara has one of the highest rates of serious and fatal motor vehicle accidents in Ontario, with the majority of them taking place on rural roads.

"They continue to be a significant concern in this region," Southall said.

From Nov. 3 to 7, police officers were out in force, pulling over drivers committing Highway Traffic Act infractions from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m. during a campaign called Operation Safe Autumn. A total of about 400 tickets were issued by police during that period.

Notably, there were only 17 vehicle collisions during that time, compared to 27 during the same period last year, said Southall.

She said police will continue to do "more selective enforcement" of road rules during times when people are most at risk of getting hurt or killed. She also said the NRP is working on a five-year traffic plan, part of which will target areas considered to be high risk.