Drivers reminded to ‘slow down and move over’

It’s a daily danger faced by roadside workers — the danger of being hit by a passing motorist as they do their job.

Emergency services workers, road maintenance crews, tow truck operators, municipal workers, traffic controllers, construction crews, garbage collectors are subject to it, along with any other worker who needs to access roadways to do their work.

In the last decade, 13 workers in B.C. have died due to collisions at the side of the road, with 204 injured.

B.C.’s Slow Down, Move Over Law is designed to protect those workers, by making it mandatory for drivers to reduce their speed and move over to an open lane when driving near a vehicle with flashing amber, red or blue lights.

Motorists must slow their speed to:

• 70 km/hr when in an 80 km/hr or over zone
• 40 km/hr when in an under 80 km/hr zone

Failure to slow down or move over can result in a traffic violation ticket of $173 and carries 3 penalty points against your license.

“Today, members of the Kelowna RCMP Traffic Services, and Central Okanagan Traffic Services will be out with some of our partners from BCAA in the Kelowna area reminding drivers of the importance of slowing down, moving over, and keeping everyone safe,” said Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy, media relations officer.

Click here for more information on the Slow Down Move Over Law