October 11 – 14, 2013 will mark Operation Impact, a national campaign to make Canada's roadsthe safest in the world.This special weekend is a police initiative designed to remind people that an essential part ofthe enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways. Educating the publicin 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 aspectsrelated to aggressive and distracted driving. All enforcement agencies across the country havebeen invited to participate."The deaths, pain and broken hearts that result from carelessness behind the wheel can beprevented," says Sergeant Derrick Donovan. "Police agencies across thecountry are collaborating on this project because they have seen more than enough of that, andbecause they know that the involvement of the driving public is essential to achieve safer streetsand highways."This initiative has been strategically chosen, as it is a significant long weekend. More people aretraveling and traffic crashes are more frequent.Here in West Kootenay area, there has been 6 to 8 deaths per year and severalserious injuries related to vehicle collisions. These are just numbers but they represent moms, dads, sisters, brothers, loved ones, co-workers, neighbours.It is unacceptable to West Kootenay Traffic Services and the other local Police Agencies. Operation Impact is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), andmember agencies of the CACP Traffic Committee from across Canada in support of Canada’sRoad Safety Strategy 2015, which has a goal of making Canada's roads the safest in the world by2015