Drivers reminded to slow down, move over to protect emergency responders

[TowZone]

CAA reminds people that dozens of emergency responders, including tow truck drivers, die every year due to being struck by on-coming traffic

 

CAA is reminding drivers to slow down and move over when encountering emergency responders working on the side of the road — it could otherwise cost someone their life.

 

In several Canadian provinces, it's required by law for drivers to slow down and switch to the farthest lane if they see emergency responders pulled over with their lights flashing.

 

In Nova Scotia, the Move Over law came into effect in May 2010. It requires drivers to slow down to 60 km/h or obey the speed limit if it's lower.

 

If the road has more than two lanes, drivers are required to move into a lane farther away from the emergency responders when safely possible.

 

“A lot of people A, don’t know about that law at all or B, know that tow trucks are now included in that law,” Julia Kent, CAA Atlantic's director of public and government affairs, said. “And that came into effect in Nova Scotia in the later part of 2018. So, we’re trying to raise awareness on that.

 

“Why? It’s because these are our people. Tow truck drivers are our colleagues, they deserve to stay safe in their workplace … they’re oftentimes emergency first responders — the first ones on the scene — and they deserve to go home to their families at night just like any of us do.”

 

 

 

CAA's National Slow Down Move Over Day started in 2019, and this year it took place on May 11. The day aims to bring awareness to this issue and protect the safety of roadside emergency responders.

 

Kent said across North America, there are thousands of near-misses reported by emergency roadside operators annually.

“Nearly 100 tow truck drivers die every year (in North America) after being struck by on-coming traffic when they’re helping stranded motorists with flat tires, break downs, collisions on the side of the road,” she said. “Every single truck driver knows the number of close calls they’ve experienced while pulled over on busy roadways.

 

“Any death is too many,” she said. “We can easily, easily rectify this just by slowing down and moving over.”

 

She said at CAA Atlantic, there have been three close calls where one incident resulted in serious injuries. That incident resulted in the driver being off work for six months.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video