North Bay OPP recently participated in a traffic initiative to bring awareness to the importance of moving over and slowing down for emergency vehicles stopped on the roadways.
Between July 14 and 16, officers participated in Operation Slow Down on area roadways.
As a result, numerous charges resulted;
- 19 Fail to move into another lane for an emergency vehicle or tow truck - if safe to do so
- one failing to slow down and proceed with caution for an emergency vehicle or tow truck
- 27 Speeding 1-49 kilometres per hour charges
- two other Highway Traffic Act charges
When encountering emergency vehicles or tow trucks stopped on the highway, two sections of the Highway Traffic Act dictate what is required by drivers.
Section 159(2) HTA Fail to slow down and proceed with caution for an emergency vehicle or tow truck - states that a driver upon approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck with emergency lights activated and stopped on a highway, the driver of a vehicle travelling on the same side of the highway shall slow down and proceed with caution, having due regard for traffic and the conditions of the highway and the weather, to ensure that the driver does not collide with the emergency vehicle or tow truck or endanger any person outside of the emergency vehicle or tow truck.
Section 159(3) HTA Fail to move into another lane for an emergency vehicle or tow truck -if safe to do so - states that a driver, upon approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck stopped on a highway with emergency lights activated, is required to slow down and proceed with caution like in section (2) above …….as well as move into another lane if the movement can be made safely.
