Ontario installs newly designed HOV lanes and here are the rules
Ontario has installed HOV lanes on a major highway that have a new design and different set of rules that might be confusing for some drivers seeing them for the first time.
The Ministry of Transportation said the newly installed HOV lanes on Highway 400 in Vaughan were opened this week.
Here's how they work.
Existing HOV traffic lanes in Ontario allow for vehicles to enter or exit by moving across a dashed lane marking located along the HOV lane.
The driver merges out of the HOV lane and straight back into the regular flow of traffic.
The new design on Highway 400 uses a dedicated transfer lane for motorists to enter and exit the HOV lane.
Motorists who want to leave the HOV lane must merge into the transfer lane before going back into the regular traffic lanes.
Why is the government doing this?
The Ministry of Transportation told CTV News Toronto the existing HOV lanes provides “satisfactory guidance” to drivers who are entering and exiting during most traffic conditions.
But in some situations, the government says there can be operational and safety concerns when HOV lane traffic merges back into the typically slower moving general-lane traffic.
The newly designed lanes give motorists a chance to slow down to the speed of regular traffic before merging back.
Highway 400 is currently the only place where these lanes exist and no changes have been made on Highway 404, Highway 403, Highway 427, Highway 410, Highway 417 and the QEW.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.