Manitoba drivers not slowing down for emergency vehicles: CAA, RCMP

CAA Manitoba and RCMP say they spotted spotted more than 300 drivers not moving over for roadside tow trucks and emergency vehicles yesterday alone, despitelegislation requiring motorists to slow down.

The two agencies observed 316 vehicles driving by a CAA tow truck that was on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway near St. Francois Xavier, Man.,to help a stalled vehicle on Wednesday.

Almost 99 per cent of the drivers failed to slow down and move to another lane as they drove past the staged scene, CAA Manitoba said Thursday.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, drivers passing by a roadside emergency vehicle must move tothe farthest lane from the scene whenever possible, as well as slow down to:

• 40 km/h when the posted speed limit is below 79 km/h, or
• 60 km/h when the posted speed limit is 80 km/h or higher.

Failing to do so could result in a $300 fine and two demerits. No tickets were handed out during Wednesday's CAA andRCMP assessment.

The agencies also found that on Wednesday:

• Almost 11 per cent of drivers didn't move over at all. Those drivers were going at an average speed of 98 km/h.
• Almost four out of five drivers did move over to the next lane, but most of them didn't slow down; they went at an average speed of 101 km/h.
• One motorcycle passed by the scene at a speed of 123 km/h.
• One semi-trailer passed by the scene at 107 km/h.

"It's so important that drivers slow down and move over for all emergency workers, like law enforcement, fire paramedics and tow trucks," Insp. Joanne Keeping, who heads up the Manitoba RCMP's traffic services unit, said in a news release.

"It only takes a few moments to do so, but can be the difference between life and death for these workers and the citizens they are assisting."

CAA Manitoba president Mike Mager said tow truck drivers, like other emergency workers, deserve to be safe on the job.

"We've lobbied for this legislation for six years, but it means nothing if drivers aren't following the letter of the law," he said.

The two agencies are reminding motorists to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, especially with many people expected to go camping or to their cottages on the May long weekend.