One mistake is all it takes on Prince Edward County roads. 

That was the highlight of the 2026 Prince Edward OPP performance review given by Detachment Commander Jeff MacKinnon at the August 27 Committee of the Whole meeting. 

“Before discussing results, I’d like to recognize the dedicated members of the Prince Edward County detachment. Every day they display professionalism, integrity, passion and commitment while serving the residents and visitors of this community,” Mr. MacKinnon said.

While collisions are down 21 percent over last year, incidents involving injuries are up by 33 per cent. At PEC’s most notorious collision hotspot—the intersection of Highway 62 and County Road 1—the Ministry of Transportation reports that 40% of collisions result in personal injury, or 10 out of 25 collisions over five years of tracking. 

In peak tourist season, from May to October, the majority of collisions at this intersection resulted in injury.

There were two recorded fatalities due to car accidents in 2025. 

Ontario records roughly 500 to 700 road fatalities a year. At 0.56 deaths per 10,000 drivers, it has one of the lowest fatality rates in North America. The County’s two fatalities nearly doubles the provincial rate.  

“Traffic safety continued to be a key priority, reflecting our responsibility to protect life and promote public safety. Enforcement efforts targeting dangerous driving behaviours, including seatbelt compliance, distracted driving, and impaired driving, saw significant increases,” Mr. MacKinnon said. 

Councillor Janice Maynard asked if tourism was a factor in the County’s high collision rate, particularly when it comes to impaired drivers, noting at least some of the County’s impaired driving cases come from tourism.

“We kind of bear the fruits of the alcohol-based tourism sector we have. How do we go about ensuring people are not over served? Because it is the law, we’re not supposed to over serve someone, and bars are responsible. 

“If a person is going from place to place or at a large venue with multiple bartenders, I get it, it’s still their responsibility. Impaired driving is a big problem, but I think it’s bigger than just the one person who is responsible.”

But the OPP said the assumption that tourism is to blame does not align with reality.

“With the County having up to one million tourists a year, one might think the majority of those apprehended for impaired driving are from away. 
But they are not. I can tell you the data shows it was locals in 2025 and the trend has so far continued in 2026.”
—S. Casey Hill, Chair of the Prince Edward OPP Detachment Board

“It would be a misapprehension to assume it’s people from outside who are the problem,” said S. Casey Hill, Chair of the O.P.P. Detachment Board.

“Despite sustained education and enforcement efforts, an increase in the severity of collisions reinforces the need for continued vigilance, accountability, and enforcement on our roads,” said DC MacKinnon.