Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in South Bruce report a concerning incident where a bus driver was stopped not once, but twice within hours for driving on a closed highway during a significant winter storm.
Reckless Actions During Severe Weather
The incidents occurred on December 29-30, 2025, on Highway 21, which had been officially closed due to dangerous conditions. According to the South Bruce OPP, the driver first encountered police after entering the closed roadway. Officers issued a warning and directed the driver off the highway.
However, in a baffling turn of events, the same driver was stopped again just hours later for committing the same infraction. The OPP had implemented the closure for public safety, as a major winter storm was hammering the region, causing poor visibility, snow squalls, and treacherous driving conditions.
Police Emphasize the Danger
The South Bruce OPP shared a photo of one of their cruisers, with emergency lights activated, parked next to an "Emergency Road Closed" sign on Highway 21. This visual underscores the seriousness of the closure and the clear signage intended to warn motorists.
Driving on a closed highway is illegal and poses an extreme risk, police emphasized. It endangers the driver, passengers, and first responders who may be conducting recovery or cleanup operations. Road closures are enacted during severe weather events, like the one impacting Ontario, to prevent accidents and strandings.
A Broader Context of Storm Impacts
This incident was not isolated. The storm system that led to the closure of Highway 21 triggered widespread road closures across Ontario and into other provinces. Authorities reported similar dangerous travel conditions and multiple weather-related incidents throughout the period.
The OPP uses such incidents to remind all drivers to heed road closure signs and check travel conditions before departing. Ignoring a road closure can result in significant fines, demerit points, and potential criminal charges if the action leads to danger. The identity of the bus driver or any potential charges were not immediately released by police.
