Long weekend getaways bring traffic jams and police crackdowns

Traffic is slow-going northbound on Highway 400 in Barrie, Ont.

The long weekend often brings long delays and congested highways, and this year is no different.

Drivers heading out of the city Thursday encountered significant traffic, particularly near the Highway 407 and Highway 400 interchange approaching Barrie.

“The highways were terrible. We got on the 407 and right when we hit close to the 400 near Barrie, it was just non-stop brake lights,” said one frustrated driver. “We even took Friday off to miss the traffic, and I think we hit more traffic today (Thursday) than we would have tomorrow.”

The trip to cottage country is well underway, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to travel over the next few days. But the journey isn’t without issues.

“Maybe tailgating so close behind you that you worry if you have to stop suddenly,” said another driver voicing concerns.

Ontario Provincial Police is reminding drivers they will be out in full force all weekend, cracking down on dangerous driving behavior.

“We’re focusing on speeding, distracted driving, seatbelt use, and impaired driving,” said Sgt. Joe Brisebois with the OPP. “And this weekend, there’s also a focus on the Move Over Law.”

That law requires drivers to move over when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle on the highway.

Police are also issuing warnings about unsafe or unsecured loads on vehicles. “That’s dangerous,” added Sgt. Brisebois. “It could cause a collision, go through someone’s windshield, people can get injured or, even worse, it could lead to a fatality.”

Gas prices were sitting just below $1.40 per litre in the morning. Many drivers say they’re aware of what’s coming and some are preparing accordingly.

“Every long weekend they put radar out on the highway,” said another motorist. “And you don’t like that? Of course not. Anyway, I go 118 km/h or whatever, but yeah... on long weekends, you’re guaranteed to have police out there.”

And that’s exactly what police want drivers to keep in mind. There’s zero tolerance this long weekend on the roads and highways and drivers should be prepared for delays almost the entire way.