By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

AMA wants “Slow Down, Move Over” law updated

Sep 1, 2017 | 7:11 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Do you slow down when passing a tow truck assisting a disabled vehicle? Did you know it’s the law?

A lot of people do not, it seems. A study conducted for CAA in provinces that include tow trucks in such laws found 49 per cent didn’t know about their inclusion in “Slow Down, Move Over” legislation.

“Year after year we unfortunately have occurrences where our tow truck drivers, when they’re responding to a call, are either struck or it becomes a very close call with another vehicle,” said Jeff Kasbrick, vice president of stakeholder and government relations at AMA. The organization responded to 450,000 roadside calls last year.

According to an AMA news release, RCMP saw an increase in tickets issued by officers and sheriffs for speeding past emergency vehicles: 744, up from 662.

Part of the problem, the organization feels, is confusion over the law. Alberta is the only province that only requires slowing down in the lane immediately adjacent, rather than all lanes going in the same direction.

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“We think it’s time that Alberta aligned itself with the rest of Canada when it comes to that point, and that we also have our legislation apply to all lanes of travel in the same direction,” Kasbrick said. “That ultimately just helps create a far clearer message for motorists and it makes it far more clear what the expectation is when they’re passing a roadside scene.”

He added conversations with Alberta Transportation have been productive and he hopes the province will keep an open mind, since they have the same goals towards safety.

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