Police cracking down on Highway 401 corridor this weekend
Police forces in Ontario and Quebec are teaming up with their colleagues in New York, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire for a special Easter long weekend crackdown on traffic violations.
"We all have the same concerns. People are dying for needless reasons. We need to prevent that," said Ontario Provincial Police spokeswoman Sgt. Kristine Rae.
"Easter weekend is supposed to be a good, happy time. It's the start of spring. That's the memories you want to have."
Last year, two university students from Ottawa were killed when their car collided with a pick-up truck as they were headed home for Easter.
On Thursday, a 67-year-old man died near Barry's Bay after rolling his Dodge Caravan into a ditch.
The enforcement initiative along the Highway 401 corridor this weekend is focusing on drunk driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving and improper use of seat belts.
"We would much rather maybe take a little bit of flak for giving someone a ticket than having to go tell their family that they've died in a car accident because of something that happened on the highway," said OPP Const. Jen Coles.
The Tang family left Toronto Friday morning for what they hoped would be an uneventful drive to Ottawa, but they were ticketed for speeding along the way.
"It's not ideal but I don't think it's super terrible. I'm glad they're keeping us safe and I'm glad to be on our way to Ottawa soon," said Connie Tang.
Police are urging drivers to take extra precautions while travelling this weekend.
