Police patrolling on roads, waterways and trails this Canada Day long weekend
This Canada Day long weekend, police want everyone to stay safe and make wise choices as many people plan to enjoy the first restriction-free summer in two years.
By Thursday afternoon, traffic along highways 400 and 11 was slow going as thousands made their way north.
Police say motorists need to pack their patience and share the roads.
"Be careful out there. Ride according to the conditions and share the road. Enjoy the journey. Get there safely. Everybody wants to get where they are going, and it only takes one person to really mess it up for everybody," said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.
So far this year, provincial police report that 147 people have died on Ontario highways.
Police also urge drivers to stay sober. "Mixing alcohol and drugs with driving or riding is a combination that never ends well," they stated.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Officers across the region say they will be out on the roads, water and trails this summer to keep an eye on dangerous behaviours.
"Police remind boaters that each year people die needlessly in accidents on Ontario waterways. Most fatalities on the water are preventable if smart choices are made before leaving shore," a police release noted.
Last year, police reported one boating fatality on Canada Day weekend, and none in 2020 during the pandemic when most people stayed homebound. In 2019, five deaths were reported on the trails.
"That's one thing we don't want to see continue, and we'd love to have a repeat of 2020 with zero's across the board," Schmidt said.
"Let's make this Canada Day long weekend a great weekend for all. Wear your life jacket, or PFD, wear your helmet and always buckle up," concluded OPP Sgt. Dave Moffat.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.