West Shore RCMP traffic officers are out in full force this month, reminding motorists to obey the law requiring them to slow down and move over when they see any flashing lights. Unfortunately, itB次元官网网址檚 not just first responders who know what can happen when passing motorists get distracted and get too close.
Westshore Towing Ltd. owner Dave LeQuesne has been in the towing industry since he graduated high school in the mid-1980s. He said without the visible presence of flashing red lights and first responders, many drivers donB次元官网网址檛 bother to move over.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 different when weB次元官网网址檙e out there by ourselves,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that some motorists even yell and make rude gestures at workers when they block a lane to make the area safer to work in. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a matter of time before one of us gets hurt and by then itB次元官网网址檚 too late.B次元官网网址�
He said the chances of someone coming home after being struck by a vehicle traveling 80 km/h on the highway is very unlikely. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not your normal nine to five office.B次元官网网址�
The B次元官网网址渟low down and move overB次元官网网址� law was amended in January to include all official vehicles, not just first responders. If you see red, blue or yellow flashing lights, you must slow down and move away from the parked vehicles when safe. If traveling on a road with a speed limit of 80 km/h or greater, drivers must slow down to 70 km/h or less. If the posted speed limit is less than 80 km/h you must slow to 40 km/h.
Many people donB次元官网网址檛 understand the relatively new law and how it impacts everyone working the white line, not just first responders, LeQuesne said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard when youB次元官网网址檙e out on the road.B次元官网网址�
His experience on the side of the road isnB次元官网网址檛 just limited to a tow truck. He also served with Langford Fire Rescue and grew up around the fire hall. He was actually in a fire truck, backing it into the station with all of the lights flashing, when it was struck by another motorist on the road.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just too busy,B次元官网网址� he said of drivers in general. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 focus on what we should be doing when weB次元官网网址檙e driving. People need to get back to the basics.B次元官网网址�
Police will be on roadsides reminding drivers of those basics and that moving over creates a buffer from traffic, minimizing the chances of someone being hit B次元官网网址� and theyB次元官网网址檒l be handing out stiff fines to those who donB次元官网网址檛 listen. This targeted enforcement is the focus of the West Shore RCMP in October, as well as continuing to remind motorists of the consequences of distracted driving.
Detachment spokesperson Const. Alex Berube said it is critical for drivers to understand that official vehicles are not just emergency responders, they also include tow trucks, commercial vehicle safety enforcement inspectors, constructions crews and highway maintenance crews, among others.
B次元官网网址淭his law exists for the safety of roadside workers, first responders and those in need of help,B次元官网网址� Berube said.
He reminded that if drivers fail to slow down and move over they could face a fine of $173 and three penalty points on their license. But other consequences could be much worse.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
