Traffic Safety rules changing on highway March 1 for emergency crews

Lakeland drivers should be aware of new rules when encountering emergency vehicles on highways.

Province on Mar. 1, when a vehicle is stopped with its flashing lights operating, motorists are required to slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, in all lanes travelling in the same direction on multi-lane. 

On single lane highways, slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, when travelling in either direction. 

It’s a subtle change passed in the Alberta Traffic Safety Amendment Act.

“They’re basically making it all lines regardless of direction. You must slow down for emergency vehicles,” said Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority fire chief Dan Heney. 

“It’s an awareness. The most dangerous place for responders is on on a highway because of the high speed of traffic.” 

In October, the issue of not stopping or allowing emergency vehicles to pass when the sirens are activated was brought up during committee reports of a Bonnyville town council meeting.

When motorists hear the sirens, they are to immediately pull over the right side of the lane or curb and use their turn signal. They are to stop until the emergency vehicle has passed and make sure there are no others trailing behind. When the emergency vehicle has passed, be courteous and let drivers ahead of you back into traffic.

“We saw it for a couple of months after the last time we did get that piece with you. You could really see people taking it to heart. And then it just slowly over time. You can see folks falling into that happened again,” said Heney.

“And especially when trying to pass on the highway, I was really seeing lots of folks pulling over and stopping way more than I’ve ever seen before. I would say now there’s still more than previously were, but the number has dropped back a little bit.”