Ontario Provincial Police are reminding drivers excited to start their long weekend plans to watch for emergency crews on the highway.
Officers say that in anticipation of the August civic holiday weekend patrols along popular highways will be focusing their safety blitz on the “move over law.”
Police say that in 2023 nearly 13,000 charges were made against drivers who failed to comply with the law.
The law has been in place since June 2008 similarly ahead of another expected busy summer weekend.
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The “move over law” requires drivers to slow and move over when emergency vehicles are parked on the side of a highway. Doing so keeps emergency workers safe as they clear a collision or help stranded vehicles on the road.
Drivers that do see an emergency vehicle on the road, slow down and move over to the right if it’s passing, or into another lane if they’re on the side.
Failing to comply with the law can carry a large fine of up to $2,000 and three demerit points if convicted. Any offences after that could lead to fines of up to $4,000 and jail time with a license suspension.
Emergency vehicles like ambulances and police cars also include tow trucks.