Motorists who made road trips over the weekend likely noticed a strong police presence on highways, as part of a national safety campaign dubbed ‘Operation Impact’ – also known as their Thanksgiving weekend blitz.

On Tuesday, Ontario Provincial Police released their statistics from Operation Impact. Eight people were killed in five separate crashes over the long weekend – including a motorcyclist in Toronto, while one person died in an off-road accident.

Police report the number of deaths on the roads is up almost 20 per cent compared to 2011 at the same time.

The campaign focused on impaired driving, seatbelt use, distracted driving and aggressive driving. In total, nearly 12,000 charges were laid – 5,000 of those for not wearing a seatbelt.

Brian Patterson, from the Ontario Safety League, says it is still shocking that people aren’t buckling up.

“Whenever a death or significant fatality includes the words ‘ejected from a vehicle’, you know that’s somebody who could have probably benefited from a seatbelt,” Patterson said.

According to Patterson, people who text-and-drive are up to 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.

Police also used the campaign to remind motorists about the risks of drinking and driving. Impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada.