With the first half of the year behind them, the OPP has laid 932 Move Over charges so far this year against drivers who failed to slow down and move over when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing.
While the year-to-date number sets the stage for a potentially lower number of charges compared to the past few years, it is an important law that the OPP sees far too many drivers continue to ignore at the expense of first responder safety.
OPP Move Over Charges [Highway Traffic Act Section 159 (2)(3)], last five years:
Year # of charges
2014 1,593
2015 2,059
2016 2,468
2017 2,137
2018 932 (Jan. 1 – mid-June)
“Any driver who has had to pull over to the roadside of a busy highway or road knows how unnerving and unsafe it feels to see traffic clipping by at close proximity,” said OPP Deputy Commission Brad Blair, provincial commander of traffic safety and operational support. “We need all drivers to be mindful of this when they see police, other emergency personnel and tow truck drivers on the roadside carrying out their public safety duties. Slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles if safe to do so will help reduce the number of these preventable collisions and allow those who provide help at the roadside to do their jobs safely.”
Michael Tibollo, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, added, “With the upcoming long weekend, there will be lots of people travelling throughout this great province. Let’s all do our part to ensure that we arrive safe. When you see a stopped tow truck or emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, move over and give them the room they need to do their job. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s the law. This way we can all enjoy the long weekend with our family and friends.”
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