OPP on the lookout for driving infractions this long weekend
Many Ontario residents took to Highway 400, eager for one last summer hurrah up north.
Ontario Provincial Police officers are conducting the annual Labour Day long weekend safety campaign, focusing on the leading problems on the roads.
"Speeding, aggressive driving, impaired driving, distracted driving and a lack of seatbelts, of safety equipment are up across the province. We've had 229 people die already this year in road collisions, which is up nearly 30 per cent from last year," said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.
The South Simcoe Police service has also seen an increase in fatalities on the road this year. They're urging all drivers to use caution.
"We just want genuinely want everyone to have a safe long weekend. We know it's going to be an increase in traffic both on the water and on the roads," said South Simcoe Police Const. Paul Catling.
With many new boaters on the water this year, Catling wants to ensure everyone is prepared.
"Always wear life jackets, have your boater's licence, make sure you check all your safety equipment, tell someone where you're going, and have a cell phone available as well," Catling adds.
"We want this weekend to be a great, remarkable and enjoyable weekend for everyone, and we need them to get home safe," said Schmidt.
The OPP will be out doing education and traffic enforcement along highways, waterways and trails across the province.
And as with all summer long weekends, police urge motorists to pack their patience wherever they're heading.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.