While  the OPP are looking for distracted drivers this week, they’re also keeping an eye out for unsafe drivers and vehicles!

The Ontario Provincial Police started a crackdown on dangerous driving as motorists fled the city Friday for the first holiday weekend of the cottage-country season.

As of 1 p.m., eastbound traffic on Highway 401 was moving slowly (at speeds between 40 km/h and 75 km/h) from Dixie Rd. to Hwy. 427 and Allen Rd. to Yonge St., and very slowly (at less than 40 km/h) between Islington Ave. to Hwy. 400.

Westbound traffic on the 401 was also moving slowly between Allen Rd. and Hwy. 400.

Sgt. Dave Woodford said the OPP will focus on what he dubbed the “Big Four:” aggressive driving, impaired driving, distracted driving and seatbelt use.

Along with enforcement officers from the Ministry of Transportation, the OPP will also make sure loads are safely secured and towing equipment is properly installed.

“We have to focus on those to make sure they’re safe because a lot of people, they’ve had them stored away for the winter and they’re not taking the little bit of extra time to make sure everything’s secure,” he said.

It’s not unusual to find mattresses and barbeques on the side of the road, Woodford said.

“We want to make sure they’re safe and that’s why we do these initiatives that make sure everybody that is heading into the city or out of the city can get there safely and enjoy the weekend,” he said.

Ministry officers as well as the OPP will also target vehicles that shouldn’t be on the road in the first place, Woodford said.

During last year’s road safety week, the OPP laid 9,806 charges for speeding, careless driving and seatbelt offences. Another 190 charges were laid for drunk driving.