Winnipeg, Manitoba — March 9, 2015 — Emergency workers are asking Manitoba motorists to mind the Move Over law.
CTV News reports that throughout the province, an average of 128 emergency vehicles are involved in collisions each year.
Section 109 of the Manitoba Highway Traffic Act (HTA) was put in place to protect emergency personnel, directing drivers to slow down and move over when approaching ambulances, fire trucks, police cruisers, and tow trucks pulled over with their lights flashing.
Under the legislation, drivers must reduce their speed to 40 km/h in areas with a limit below 80 km/h, and 60 km/h in areas where limits surpass 80 km/h, moving into an adjacent lane if possible and passing only if it is safe to do so.
According to the report, many motorists are failing to adhere to the law, adding to the yearly tally of crashes and close calls.
CAA tow truck operator Jason Miller told CTV News that while responding to a call to recover a vehicle from a ditch, oncoming traffic sped towards him, despite his parked truck’s flashing amber lights.
“While I was waiting, I was watching several people approaching, not pulling over, and sliding towards my truck and finally I saw one who just locked up his tires and just came at me, slid right into me,” Miller says. “Significant damage to his car and my truck too.”
Drivers in violation of the province’s Move Over law face a fine of $299.65 and two demerit points.
