A Manitoba-wide law now in effect expands and clarifies the precautions motorists must take when passing emergency personnel on highways.
The Respect for the Safety of Emergency and Enforcement Personnel Act requires motorists to slow down when passing emergency vehicles, enforcement vehicles, tow trucks and roadside assistance vehicles.
Drivers travelling on the same side of the road as emergency vehicles that are stopped with their beacons flashing are required to slow down and proceed with caution.
Drivers travelling on a multi-lane highway must also pass the emergency vehicle only when safe to do so and, where possible, move to a lane further from emergency vehicles.
Drivers on either side of an undivided highway who pass emergency vehicles that are stopped with their beacons flashing will be required to slow down to the following maximum speeds:
• 40 km/hr on highways with posted maximum speed limits below 80 km/hr; and
• 60 km/hr on highways with posted maximum speed limits of 80 km/hr or greater.
Drivers not following these safety measures may be subject to a fine of $299.
“We are sending a message to drivers that slowing down when passing roadside workers saves lives and motorists who fail to slow down will be penalized,” said Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton.
