As the long weekend arrives, Ontario Provincial Police are warning they'll be watching to ensure people are being safe and following the rules.
Superior East OPP Constable Ashley Nickle notes the long weekend coincides with the final days of Canada Road Safety Week, which aims to educate the public about the importance of safe driving behaviours, increase public compliance with safe driving habits, enhance traffic safety, and reduce the number of injuries and deaths on roads.
Nickle notes the campaign focuses on the "Big Four" leading causes of traffic deaths.
Constable Nickle particularly notes "a lot of" distracted or inattentive driving, urging everyone focus on proper driving for the safety of themselves, passengers, and other road users.
Local OPP are also expected to be out on local trails over the weekend, and tomorrow marks the start of Safe Boating Awareness Week, prompting a reminder from the OPP to emphasize "no one is completely safe on the water if they are not wearing a lifejacket or personal floatation device" - they also warn about weather and hazardous waterways, with Ontario Power Generation also urging caution around hydroelectric stations and dams, as water levels can change quickly and sometimes without warning.