To The Haldimand Press
HALDIMAND—Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are urging drivers to “move over” to keep first responders safe on our roads and highways.
Between February 13 and 16, 2023 West Region officers conducted an enforcement campaign focusing on drivers who don’t slow down and move over for emergency vehicles parked on the side of a highway with the lights activated. Ontario’s “Move Over” law stipulates that if a driver is travelling along a roadway with two or more lanes, that driver must move over for the parked emergency vehicle, if it is safe to do so. If the roadway only has one lane in each direction, the driver is required to slow down and proceed with caution as they pass the parked emergency vehicle.
OPP West Region held a media conference following the conclusion of the campaign to announce the results. Attendees had the opportunity to speak to OPP West Region leaders and OPP officers whose lives have been endangered by drivers who failed to follow the “Move Over” law.
Since 1989, five OPP officers have been killed in the line of duty on the roadside when they and/or their vehicles were hit by approaching vehicles.
Failure to comply with Ontario’s “Move Over” law carries a $490 to $2,000 fine plus three demerit points upon conviction. Subsequent offences carry a $1,000 to $4,000 fine, possible jail time of up to six months, and suspension of your driver’s licence for up to two years.
The “Move Over” law serves to protect the lives of police, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and tow truck operators who are stopped at the roadside to carry out their work.
