Also in Ontario since around 2003
The legislation - Bill 191, Highway Traffic Act Amendment Act (Emergency
Vehicle Safety), 2002 - will protect police officers, firefighters and other
emergency personnel whose vehicles are stopped on the shoulder of the
province's roadways with red lights flashing. Motorists will have to slow down
and, where possible and safe to do so, move to a lane not adjacent to the one in which the emergency vehicle is situated.
"By forcing drivers to slow down and move over, we are protecting those
who protect us," Runciman said. "We all benefit when these dedicated workers
are able to do their job efficiently and without having to worry about their
personal safety. They understand what they do is dangerous, but there is no
need to subject them to additional risk.""The personal safety of our officers is at risk when dealing with roadside emergencies, issuing speeding tickets or providing assistance to motorists," Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Gwen Boniface said. "This new legislation will be instrumental in protecting Ontario Provincial Police officers and our roadside emergency partners as they endeavour to keep our roadways safe for the motoring public."
The legislation will apply to all stopped vehicles, excluding school
buses, with flashing red lights. Section 62 (15.1) of the Highway Traffic Act
authorizes ambulance, fire, police and public utility emergency vehicles and
ministries of transportation, natural resources and environment to use red
lights.
"Many motorists don't recognize the high risk front-line police officers
can face during routine traffic stops," Brian Adkin, president of the Ontario
Provincial Police Association, said. "We don't necessarily think of pulling
off to the side of the highway to issue a speeding ticket or to investigate an
accident as a dangerous part of an officer's job. This legislation is critical
to our members' safety. It speaks to the commitment that the government has for front-line emergency personnel."
Those convicted of disobeying the law can expect to be dealt with
severely. For the first offence, the fine will be not less than $400 and not
more than $2,000. For second and subsequent convictions, the fine is a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $4,000, six months in jail or both a fine and jail sentence. All convictions will result in the addition of three demerit points to a driver's record. The court can also suspend a motorist's driver's licence for up to two years.
"We have lost four officers in Ontario in recent years when they or their
vehicles have been stopped at the side of the road," Bruce Miller, the
administrator of the Police Association of Ontario (PAO), said. "This new
legislation will help to protect both front-line police officers and the
citizens they serve. We believe that it will go a long way to help prevent
further tragedies." The PAO represents 22,000 front-line police personnel.
"Firefighters are frequently the first to arrive at the scene of
incidents on highways," Milt Wilson, president of the Ontario Association of
Fire Chiefs, said. "This legislation will give our workers added protection,
especially before police arrive to direct traffic.
that's what it is all about, I know some folks up here still do not move over.....but the signs on the Highways also tell the public to do so.
Dave
