Highway 400 sees steady traffic flow as cottage season begins
The journey to cottage country has been slow going on Friday, with a steady flow of traffic along Highway 400 for most of the day.
Police will also be out in full force, monitoring the roads closely throughout the weekend.
"We came up the back way, so we avoided any potential traffic on the 400, but yeah, we're pretty excited about the summer starting," said Kevin Assplin.
The trip to cottage country is also becoming more expensive. Regular gas was priced at $162.6 per litre Friday morning.
Police are keenly observing drivers and will be looking for those causing issues.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
OPP statistics reveal that over 100 people have been killed on OPP-patrolled highways in the first five months of the year. Last year, 411 people lost their lives on the roads.
"The focus this weekend is on drug and alcohol-impaired driving, aggressive driving including speeding, fatigue, seatbelt use, and distracted driving," said Const. Jonathan Barrett of the Orillia OPP. "We're educating the public through enforcement, trying to get everyone home safely."
The long weekend is crucial for resorts in Simcoe County and Muskoka.
Mark Downey of Fern Resort emphasized its importance. "Being an Ontario northern resort, summer is really quintessential for our existence. It's the majority of our business, and it's the personality of our experience."
Police remind the public that this is typically one of the busiest weekends of the summer on roads and highways and advise drivers to allow extra time for travel and to be extra patient.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976871.1721873052!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
DEVELOPING Jasper updates: 'Significant loss' within Jasper townsite
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park has reached the townsite.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.