Flashing amber lights mean the same thing as emergency lights: Slow down and move over

Nearly all British Columbians who drive for work know they must slow down and move over for emergency vehicles with flashing red and blue lights. But far fewer realize the same law also protects other roadside workers who use flashing amber lights.

A Road Safety at Work survey conducted this year found that 98% of respondents knew the Slow Down Move Over law applies when emergency vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks display flashing red and blue lights.

But only 30% knew drivers must follow the same law when stopped vehicles display flashing amber lights. This includes tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, utility and waste collection trucks, and others.

Knowing that is especially important at this time of year when many British Columbians will be making one last summer road trip and then preparing for back to school.

“Most drivers would never intentionally put a roadside worker at risk,” said Trace Acres, Program Director for Road Safety at Work. “The few seconds it takes to slow down and move over could save someone’s life. Watching for flashing amber lights should be as automatic as watching for flashing red and blue lights.”

WorkSafeBC statistics show 11 roadside workers were killed and 263 more sustained injuries resulting in time-loss claims in B.C. between 2016 and 2025.

Tens of thousands of British Columbians are roadside workers, earning their living just metres from moving traffic and facing the risk of being struck by a passing vehicle. They include construction and maintenance crews, tow truck operators, utility workers, landscapers, garbage and recycling collectors, emergency responders, and others.

When approaching a work zone, B.C. law requires drivers to:

• Drive with care at or below the posted speed limit, even when workers aren’t visible;
• Pay attention and leave your phone alone;
• Obey road signs, traffic control devices, and traffic control persons.

If you see a stopped vehicle with flashing red, blue, or amber lights, B.C.’s Slow Down Move Over law requires you to:

• Slow to 70 km/h when the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, and to 40 km/h when the speed limit is below 80 km/h.
• Move over to give workers as much room as possible. If on a multi-lane road, move into the next lane if it’s safe to do so.

Failing to follow the rules does more than put workers at risk. It also carries financial penalties. Fines range from $121 for disobeying a traffic control device to $368 for using an electronic device while driving.

Find more tips on driving in work zones.

The survey was conducted in March 2026 among 1,000 people who drive for work. They included 143 drivers whose job mainly involves driving for work, 250 who drive for work on a semi-regular basis, and 607 who occasionally drive for work.

e-KNOW file photo

Road Safety at Work

Article Share