It’s not only a matter of courtesy and safety, it is the law in Ontario.
And members of the OPP this week (Feb 13-16) are urging drivers to move over to keep first responders safe on roads and highways.
Derek Rogers, OPP West Region media coordinator explains a number of near misses so far this year have prompted the enforcement campaign of the Move Over law on roads and highways.
Ontario’s Move Over law requires motorists on a roadway with two or more lanes to move over for parked emergency vehicles if it is safe to do so.
Failure to comply with the law by slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles can result in a fine up to $2,000 plus three demerit points.
Rogers explains the law covers all emergency vehicles.
Rogers stresses since 1989, five OPP officers have been killed in the line of duty when they or their vehicles were struck by approaching vehicles.
Ontario’s Move Over law has been in place for 20 years.
He explains the best way to look at it is when emergency personnel are stopped to deal with an incident, that becomes their workplace.
Rogers explains what to do on two-lane roadways.
Failure to comply with the law by slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles can result in a fine up to $2,000 plus three demerit points.
Written by Ian McCallum
