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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.