OPP Urge Caution Ahead of Labour Day Long Weekend Travel
The OPP are reminding drivers, boaters, and trail users to prioritize safety this Labour Day weekend, one of the busiest travel times of the year.
Highways and back roads across Ontario, and here in Grey-Bruce, are expected to be busy this Labour Day weekend with cottagers, tourists, and students all on the move. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say they’ll be out in force to help keep travellers safe, but stress that it will take cooperation from all road users.
So far this year, 214 people have died on OPP-patrolled roads across Ontario. Police say speeding, alcohol and drug use, driver inattention, and lack of seatbelt use remain the leading causes of road fatalities — and all of them are preventable.
In Grey-Bruce, Labour Day weekend often brings a surge of traffic along Highway 6 to Tobermory, Highway 21 along the Lake Huron shoreline, and routes leading in and out of Owen Sound. With the season’s final wave of travel, OPP are warning drivers to expect an increased police presence.
“The motoring public are important road safety partners,” the OPP said in a release, urging residents to call 9-1-1 to report impaired or dangerous drivers. “That one phone call could even save a life.”
Safety beyond the roads
The reminder extends to the region’s waterways and trails, where boaters, paddlers, and off-roaders are also expected to be active this weekend. Police say wearing a lifejacket on the water and a helmet on the trail offers the best chance of surviving a serious incident.
Long Weekend Safety Checklist
On the road:
Buckle up; seatbelts save lives.
Slow down and watch speed limits, especially on rural highways.
Stay alert; distracted driving is deadly.
Never drive impaired. Call 9-1-1 if you suspect another driver is.
On the water:
Wear a lifejacket — always.
Don’t boat under the influence.
On the trails:
Always wear a helmet.
Ride sober and stay on marked routes.
With school buses set to roll again next week, police say the long weekend is a good moment for drivers to recommit to safe habits and to watch for children returning to school.
The OPP patrols more than 130,000 kilometres of roadway and close to 100,000 kilometres of waterways and trails across Ontario.