In northern Ontario, the onset of the Civic Long Weekend is characterized by substantial congestion on roads.
Sault Ste. Marie residents Lucia Laford and Nick Brash were among those on the road during Ontario's Civic Long Weekend. They were heading to a family cottage in Bancroft, joining numerous other travellers taking advantage of the holiday to explore the province.
However, the journey on Highway 17 in McKerrow was not as smooth as one might expect. Traffic began to slow by noon, with a constant stream of cars creating congestion on the highway. This heavy traffic is a common occurrence during the Civic Long Weekend in northern Ontario.
Ontario Provincial Police Const. Rob Lewis highlighted an increase in risky driving behaviors, including passing on the right shoulder. These dangerous maneuvers, according to Lewis, can endanger lives and do not provide significant time savings due to traffic or construction.
Authorities are reminding drivers to stay patient and prioritize safety throughout the holiday weekend. In fact, the Ontario Provincial Police are focusing on the "Big Four" traffic violations this weekend, which include speeding, impaired driving, seatbelt violations, and distracted driving.
Meanwhile, travellers from various parts of the province and beyond were taking in the sights. Greg Earl and his wife, visiting from Denmark, also visited the Big Nickel, a popular attraction in Sudbury. Daniel Zhang (10 years old) and Jaiden Zhang (13 years old) from Richmond Hill, Ont. visited the Big Nickel for the first time. Ross Paterson and Elizabeth Chinery were traveling to a family camp on Lake Superior.
Despite ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., Paterson made a decision to vacation in Canada this year. He intends to support Canada by not traveling to the U.S. beyond the one occasion he already visited.
While Ontario offers a wide array of popular destinations ranging from cultural sites to natural attractions during the Civic Long Weekend, Highway 17 often faces heavy traffic and requires cautious driving and preparedness for delays. Travellers are advised to anticipate delays and plan accordingly. Attractions remain open, including those in Niagara Falls like the Niagara SkyWheel and boat tours.
In summary, while the Civic Long Weekend offers a chance to explore Ontario's many attractions, drivers on Highway 17 are urged to exercise patience and prioritize safety due to the heavy congestion and increased risky driving behaviors.
- Despite the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., some travelers, like Ross Paterson, have decided to vacation in Canada this year to support the country.
- In addition to the family cottage in Bancroft, other travellers took advantage of the Civic Long Weekend to visit various attractions, such as the Big Nickel in Sudbury.
- Travellers on Highway 17 should be prepared for heavy traffic, potential delays, and increased risky driving behaviors, as authorities are focusing on enforcing the "Big Four" traffic violations during the holiday weekend.
