'Slow down and move over' this long weekend: OPP
Ontario Provincial Police – including detachments in northern Ontario – will be out in full force for the Civic Holiday long weekend.
An Ontario Provincial Police vehicle with the front passenger door opened. (File Photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)
The OPP long weekend traffic campaign will run from Aug. 2 – 5, with police focusing on traffic moving over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks, as well as they call the "Big Four" – distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding/aggressive driving and seatbelts.
“If the road has two or more lanes, slow down and move over,” said police on social media.
Heavy traffic volumes are expected on roadways and drivers will see a greater presence of emergency vehicles in order to keep all road users safe.
Police are reminding motorists that being a safe, attentive driver means keeping an eye out for emergency vehicles and tow trucks on the roadside, slowing down and moving over a lane when it is safe to do so.
“Slow down and move over if you see an emergency vehicle with their lights flashing,” said police in a news release earlier this week.
“If the emergency vehicle is stopped on the same side of the highway as you are going, slow down and pass with caution.”
In their social media posts leading up to the long weekend, the OPP posted a video showing drivers what not to do.
Failure to comply with the move over law carries a $490 to $2,000 fine plus three demerit points upon conviction. Subsequent offences carry a fine of $1,000 to $4,000, possible jail time of up to six months and a driver's licence suspension of up to two years.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Almost 1,300 drivers were charged in 2023 for failing to comply with the provincial move over law and last year’s Civic Long Weekend campaign saw seven individuals in northern Ontario charged for failing to move for emergency vehicles among hundreds of other charges.
“While enjoying the festivities, the OPP reminds motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive,” said police.
“If you observe a suspected impaired driver, please call 911 or contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Beautiful in its own way': New forest emerges in Jasper National Park, bringing protection and new opportunities
Charred stumps and the remains of fire-ravaged trees still cover large tracts of land on the Jasper landscape, but life is returning quickly down below.
Bloc Quebecois ready to extract gains for Quebec in exchange for supporting Liberals
The Bloc Québécois says its ready to wheel and deal with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's party for support during confidence votes now that the Liberal government's confidence and supply agreement with the NDP has ended.
Dog mauled to death in B.C. yard after 3 pit bulls jump fence: police
A 12-year-old collie was killed by three pit bulls in the B.C. Interior Sunday morning, according to authorities.
video ‘Not checking out yet’: Woman with incurable cancer vows to keep fighting
Heather Appleton just renewed her passport for another ten years. “I’m not checking out yet,” said Appleton, 61, who has the incurable cancer, Multiple Myeloma.
Trump threatens to jail adversaries in escalating rhetoric ahead of pivotal debate
With just days to go before his first and likely only debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump posted a warning on his social media site threatening to jail those “involved in unscrupulous behavior” this election, which he said would be under intense scrutiny.
'It's morally wrong': A rural Alberta town reacts to homeless shelter closure
At the end of a side street in Slave Lake, Alta., Lynn Bowes looks at a grey job-site trailer with boarded-up windows and doors that once operated as her town's only homeless shelter.
Over 200 firearms seized in weapons investigation: Waterloo Regional Police
According to police, during a traffic stop in Waterloo, officers noticed firearms and ammunition inside the vehicle.
Military surplus store in Calgary, destination of celebrity shoppers, closing doors
Cher, Anthony Hopkins, Heath Ledger, Alec Baldwin and Tom Hardy are just a few of the celebrities John Cumming met while growing up in his family's military surplus store.
Slide over salsa: K-pop takes socialist Cuba by storm
Socialist Cuba, the birthplace of salsa and other rhythms that have conquered the world, is now surrendering to the invasion of South Korean pop music.