The Sudbury Road Safety Committee launched a new campaign last week to increase the safety of emergency workers stopped on the side of the road.
The “Move to the Left and Pass with Caution” campaign – which will run from May 26 to June 8 – aims to increase the public's knowledge about the need to slow down and pull to the left when emergency vehicles are on the side of the road with their lights flashing. Although the act has been legislated since 2003, many people seem to be unaware of its existence, or have misunderstood the message a press release stated.
“Police officers, firefighters and paramedics risk their lives every time they respond to a call,” said Jeff Griffith, regional planner at the Road Safety Marketing Office of the Ministry of Transportation. “We must all do our part to ensure their safety while they're working on our road.”
During the campaign, officers will conduct enhanced enforcement activities to crack down on drivers who disobey they law.
Failure to move over and pass with caution may result in a $400-$2,000 fine. For a second or subsequent offence, the fine is $1,000-$4,000, with up to six months of possible jail time, and possible suspension of the individual's driving licence for up to two years.
All convictions will result in the addition of three demerit points to a driver's record.
But it's not just the lives of emergency workers in danger on the roadsides; it's also the lives of those stopped to help motorists with vehicle problems, such as tow truck drivers. However, the legislation does not yet apply to repair vehicles or their flashing amber lights.
“It's not just emergency services: it's everybody that's on the side of the road and I think that is extremely critical,” said Tim Brouse of the Automotive Transportation Service Superintendents Association.
“When we go on an emergency road-side assistance call, it's exactly what it says. We have to work on the side of the road and we need to have some protection.”
Greater Sudbury Police Traffic Sgt. Gary Lavoie said, though the legislation does not yet incorporate the roadside assistance workers, it is something he hopes will soon be added.
“It's common sense,” he said. “Service workers would benefit from this legislation. As far as I'm concerned, it should apply to any service vehicle trying to assist somebody on the side of the highway.”
