With decent weather on the horizon this long weekend, RCMP are expecting local highways to be busy.

Cochrane RCMP, Sergeant David Hardy, Integrated Traffic Services, says they will be partnering with the Alberta Sheriffs and other Provincial enforcement units to conduct weekend checks in the front and backcountry.

"We are just going to be in these places to encourage everyone to have a safe and enjoyable weekend. Saturday(May 20), is the National Impaired Driving Campaign to combat impaired driving; as a result there's going to be static check checkstops set up all throughout the area."

Sgt. Hardy says they will also have a strong presence in the McLean Creek and Waiparous areas checking people as they come in and out to make sure backcountry recreation users are obeying the rules.

Hardy says with nice weather exercise patience, common sense, and safe driving habits.

"You are going to see a lot of the same that you saw last year, today (May 19) Highway 1 is starting to get fairly congested out west and come Monday we are expecting a very heavy volume coming from Highway 40 where the casino is straight into Calgary, as well as the 1A cutoff coming into Cochrane; it is going to be backed up substantially on Monday."