Construction worker struck by a truck on Hwy. 401 in Kingston, Ont. area

Ontario Provincial Police say a construction worker was struck while setting up a detour on Hwy. 401 in the Kingston, Ont. area. (OPP/X)

A construction worker is being treated for minor injuries after being struck by a truck on Highway 401 in the Kingston, Ont. area.

A section of the westbound lanes of Hwy. 401 was closed at Gardiners Road for several hours while police investigated. The highway reopened just before 1 p.m. 

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Ontario Provincial Police say highway maintenance personnel had just completed setting up a detour route to move vehicles off the highway at the Gardiners Road exit at 6:15 a.m. when the worker was struck.

"A heavy-duty commercial truck, pulling a car carrier failed to negotiate the detour and struck the highway maintenance worker," Const. Rob Martell told CTV News Ottawa in a statement. "The worker was transported to hospital with minor injuries."

The driver from Cambridge, Ont. is facing a charge of careless driving – cause bodily harm under the Highway Traffic Act.

In a news release Thursday, the OPP reminded motorists to drive safely and to keep an eye out for emergency vehicles and tow trucks on the roadside. Police are also asking people to slow down and move over a lane, when it's safe to so, to allow officers and workers to do their jobs safely. 

The fine for violating Ontario's Move Over law ranges from $490 to $2,000, plus three demerit points upon conviction.

"Police and other emergency personnel conduct their daily duties on the roadside of Ontario's busiest roads and highways every day and are put at risk by inattentive and careless drivers who fail to move over when safe to do so. Please comply with the move over law and respect that our dedicated officers and emergency workers deserve to get home to their families safely, as much as every other road user does. Please help us keep everyone safe,' said deputy commissioner Rohan Thompson, provincial commander, Traffic Safety and Operational Support.

Ontario Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, adds that careless drivers "have no place on our roads," noting that the provincial government will continue to monitor the roads to keep the province's highways among the safest in North America.

Police say during the long weekend, officers will be keeping a close eye on drivers approaching emergency vehicles and tow trucks, to ensure motorists are following the Move Over law.

"We all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe. This long weekend, keep your eyes on the road, make sure you wear your seat belt, obey the posted speed limits and have a designated driver or take public transit," added Michael Kerzner, Ontario solicitor general.