Majority of B.C. drivers say other road users aren't following one important law
B.C. law officials have tried to remind drivers of a crucial driving law that many don’t seem to be aware of, but BCAA has found that people are indeed aware of it; they’re just not following it.
The law we’re talking about is Slow Down, Move Over.
Simply, the law requires drivers in B.C. to slow down and move over for any vehicles that are stopped alongside the road that have flashing red, blue, or yellow lights.
“This includes maintenance workers, utility workers, police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement personnel, land surveyors, animal control workers, garbage collectors and other roadside workers,” the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit says.
A recent BCAA survey found that while 88 per cent know what to do when approaching a vehicle with flashing lights, 81 per cent say they’ve seen other drivers fail to follow it.
“The good news is that most drivers know the Slow Down, Move Over law,” said Daniel Quigley, senior manager, road assist fleet at BCAA, in a statement.
“What we need is for more people to put it into practice. When you see flashing red, blue or yellow lights ahead, slowing down and moving over when it’s safe to do so helps create a safer environment for roadside workers, emergency responders and the people they’re assisting,” Quigley said.
BCAA also referenced a Road Safety at Work survey, which revealed further confusion about the law.
Road Safety at Work found that 98 per cent of respondents correctly identified that the law applies to emergency vehicles, such as police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks; only 30 per cent realized the same rules apply to vehicles with flashing yellow lights, like tow trucks, and roadside assistance vehicles.
BCAA is reminding drivers to slow down safely.
“If there are cones marking the area, pay attention to them and watch for roadside workers or sudden traffic changes,” it adds.
If it’s safe to do so, BCAA says to move over into a lane of traffic away from the vehicles on the roadside. It also advises drivers to keep speed slow while passing the scene and to allow extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.