In 2011, the provincial government instituted a new law called 'Slow Down and Move Over'.
This law is aimed at keeping emergency services personnel safe while they are on duty. Whether it be ambulance, fire, or police, safety is the name of the game.
According to many operators, these rules are not being followed. CAA Manitoba recently conducted a survey and the results are in. 85 percent of Manitoba drivers are aware of what the 'Slow Down and Move Over' law is, but only 41 percent of those could pick out the correct definition of what the law truly is.
The survey also found that a third of drivers confuse this law with the requirement that you pull over when an emergency vehicle is passing you from behind. These two laws are completely different, but both can come with hefty fines and even suspensions.
When it comes to the 'Slow Down and Move Over' law, Ewald Friesen with CAA Manitoba says it's an easy law to abide by.
"If you see an emergency vehicle ahead of you on the road, drop your speed by half the posted speed limit," said Friesen.
Fines for not adhering to the laws are very serious. They can include the suspension of your license for up to one year and fines could total up to two thousand dollars.
CAA's survey also found that 95 percent of drivers will slow down when they see a police vehicle, 93 percent will slow down when they see an ambulance, and 89 percent when they see a fire truck. This number significantly drops when people see a tow truck that is working.
While 95, 93, and 89 percent may seem high, Friesen says these numbers are still far too low and drivers must slow down when they come across emergency vehicles.
"It is imperative that we slow down and move over, it is as simple as that," offered Friesen. "If you are doing more than 80 km/h, drop your speed to 60 and if you are doing less than 80 km/h, drop your speed to 40."
Over the last decade in North America, there have been 100 tow truck fatalities.
"These are all avoidable if drivers show caution on the road," ended Friesen.
So the next time you're driving and spot an emergency vehicle ahead of you with its lights on, slow down and move over. It could save you your license, and your pocketbook, and most importantly, it could save a life.
