Essex County OPP are pleading with drivers to not make U-turns on the 401 to avoid the Gordie Howe International Bridge. According to police, drivers who miss the last exit are backtracking by turning around or reversing to reach it. Since the bridge opened in July, OPP have recorded 64 cases of wrong-way drivers on the 401 avoiding the bridge. “As of late, it’s seeming like it’s almost a daily occurrence for us where there’s someone driving the wrong way,” said Const. Stephanie Caron, an OPP Community Engagement Officer. Police suspect drivers are fearful they will have to enter customs or even be forced to cross the bridge. Though there haven’t been any crashes caused by wrong-way drivers trying to avoid the bridge, Caron said they’re hopeful spreading more awareness will help prevent future collisions. “It’s a difference between, you know, $110 a ticket or, you know, God forbid, you know, a deadly crash, which is what we don’t want to see at all,” she said. So how can drivers avoid this? Well, for starters, they can get off before the bridge entrance. Those who aren’t planning on travelling the span must get off by the Ojibway Parkway exit. But if you miss the final exit, rather than panic, Caron said drivers can proceed to the toll booths, where bridge workers will open a gate so lost drivers can avoid customs. “You don’t have to panic. You’re not going to have to deal with customs. They’re going to be able to turn you around,” Caron said. Caron noted there have been talks of additional signs to further educate drivers heading towards the bridge. In a statement to CTV News, Heather Grondin, the Chief Relations Officer for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), noted it will take time for drivers to familiarize themselves with the changes. “WDBA reminds drivers to plan their trips in advance and follow the rules of the road. Motorists who unintentionally enter the Canadian Port of Entry are asked to proceed to an attended toll lane where staff will assist in redirecting them. The attended lanes are easily identified on overhead signage with an icon of a person,” Grondin wrote. At the same time police are hoping to curb illegal turns, Caron said they also hope to see drivers slow down coming off the 401. Approaching the bridge, she noted the speed limit drops to 80 km/h at one exit, before reaching 50 km/h ahead of a sweeping right turn. “Things are going to slow down, and you’re going across a bridge as well, right, so there’s a lot of things to consider,” she added.
