Missed the Ojibway exit? OPP says do not turn around on the 401

Missed the Ojibway exit on the 401? Don't U-turn or back up. OPP says keep going to the toll booths, where Bridging North America officers let you out at Gate 72 before the bridge, no customs. 64 wrong-way drivers there since July, OPP says.

By Kyle L. Stewart | Published Oct. 15, 2026, 12:57 p.m. ET | Windsor, Ontario

Topics: Roads and transit Public safety

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Ontario Provincial Police are again warning drivers about Highway 401 at the Gordie Howe International Bridge after counting dozens of wrong-way drivers since the crossing opened.

What the OPP says

In a post on Oct. 14, Essex County OPP said there have been 64 occurrences of wrong-way drivers on the 401, driving away from the bridge, since it opened in July. Drivers who do not want to use the bridge should exit at Ojibway Parkway (Exit 1).

If you miss that exit, the OPP says not to panic and not to make a U-turn or reverse down the highway. Instead, keep going to the toll booths. Bridging North America officers will let you out through a gate, Gate 72, before the bridge, so you will not have to deal with customs. The OPP says the consequence of turning around is either a $110 ticket or a deadly crash.

Watch the speed limit

The OPP also reminded drivers that the speed limit drops to 80 km/h at Exit 5 westbound (Huron Church Road) and then to 50 km/h at Exit 1 (Ojibway) before the sweeping right turn onto the bridge.

Not the first warning

CBC News reported that the OPP gave the same instructions on July 31, a few days after the bridge opened to traffic. CBC said the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and the provincial transportation ministry did not immediately respond to its request for comment about the incidents or the signs approaching the bridge.