19 drivers caught not moving over for emergency vehicles locally

TowNews · July 21, 2023

When encountering emergency vehicles or tow trucks stopped on the highway,

two sections of the Highway Traffic Act dictate what is required by drivers

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.

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