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Slow Down and Move Over crackdown coming
In June of 2009, new provincial legislation under the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations took effect to enhance safety of emergency workers by requiring drivers to ‘Slow Down and Move Over’ when passing emergency vehicles (including tow trucks) that have their lights activated while stopped road side.
Drivers are required to slow down to 70 km/h where the posted speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, and slow down to 40 km/h where the posted speed limit is less than 80 km/h. Vehicles must also move over to the second lane (if available) if it is safe to do so. The legislated fine for this offence is $173 under section 47.02 MVAR.
In January 2015 this legislation was expanded to include ALL vehicles stopped along the roadside that display flashing red, blue or amber lights. The legislation was amended to provide safety to not just emergency workers but those who are employed as: maintenance workers, utility workers, land surveyors, animal control workers, and garbage collectors to name a few.
The Ministry of Highways has more than 80 signs along provincial highways (pictured above) throughout the province alerting driver’s to Slow Down and Move Over for ALL vehicles flashing red, blue or amber lights.
Most first responders, tow truck drivers and maintenance workers who conduct regular duties on the side of the highway will attest to the fact that most drivers are not aware of this legislation, and that most drivers fail to abide by the law. Most can relate to near misses and unsettling experiences roadside by inconsiderate or uninformed motorists.
In November RCMP East Kootenay Traffic Services in conjunction with British Columbia Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement will be doing an enforcement campaign on local highways in the hopes of raising awareness of the ‘Slow Down Move Over’ legislation, which was put in place to protect all of those who work roadside in this province.
Now that we have shifted into winter driving it is even more important that motorists obey the rules of the road in an effort to keep all those who work at the side of the highway safer.
RCMP East Kootenay Traffic Services
