New law dictates reduced speed near emergency vehicles
Effective June 1, a new BC law requires slowing for emergency vehicles. (Photo: ShuNews)
On average, three emergency responders are killed every year in BC while they are attending emergency situations.
After 21 people died in seven years (12 at roadside), the BC government has instated a new rule governing traffic speed near emergency vehicles.
The law, which took effect on June 1, requires motorists to slow down and or move to a different lane while passing emergency vehicles who have stopped at the side of the road. Applied to police, fire, ambulance, commercial vehicle safety officers, conservation officers, park rangers, forest compliance officers and even tow trucks who have their lights flashing, drivers must slow to 40 km/h or 70 km/h depending on the road’s regularly posted speed.
On a highway, where the speed limit is over 80 km/h, drivers must reduce their speed to 70 km/h. On roads where the speed limit is normally under 80 km/h, drivers must slow to 40 km/h. Part of the new law also states that if another lane going in the same direction is free, drivers must also move into that lane whenever it is safe to do so.
The penalty for not slowing to the designated speed, not moving over, or both, is a $173 fine and three penalty points on the driver’s licence. An existing penalty remains in place for failing to yield to a moving emergency vehicle.
Copyright © 2009 ShuswapNews.com
