Province to test blue lights on tow trucks for increased safety

It will begin on June 30, the province says.

“I want to thank MLA Brad Rutherford for advocating for this change in his Private Member’s Bill 207,” says Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Transportation. “Too many tow truck drivers are involved in collisions or dangerous situations because motorists have difficulty seeing them while they’re working. This pilot project is intended to increase safety for these operators and will help determine the best lighting for tow trucks in Alberta.”

These changes, the government notes, are on top of recently introduced regulations to protect highway workers under the Traffic Safety Amendment Act.

Starting spring next year, all motorists travelling in the same direction on multi-lane highways will need to slow down to at least 60 km/h and allow one lane of space, where possible, when passing stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks and roadside workers’ vehicles when their lights are flashing. Motorists travelling in both directions on single-lane highways will be required to slow down when passing roadside vehicles and workers.

“This is a huge step forward in making our industry safer for roadside assistance workers and the motoring public through increased visibility,” says Don Getschel, Towing & Recovery Association of Alberta. “The effectiveness of this change will be noticeable and will save Albertans’ lives.”

The bill which kickstarted this pilot was introduced in the Legislature on April 28.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Province to test blue lights on tow trucks for increased safety

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