Bill 191, an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act, was proclaimed at Queen?s Park Thursday.
Highway Traffic Act Amendment Act (Emergency Vehicle Safety), 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.
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.
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.
Four officers in Ontario in recent years were killed when their vehicles were at the side of the road.
