New Road Rule In Effect Today

Monday, June 01, 2009 03:57 AM

Prince George, B.C.- Just a reminder, today is the day the new rule takes effect when it comes to emergency vehicles that are off to the side of the road.

When you see a parked emergency vehicle that has its lights flashing, you will be required to slow down as you pass that vehicle. The new rule is aimed at reducing the risk of injury to emergency workers who may be working at the side of the road outside their vehicle.

Between 2001 and 2007, 21 emergency workers were injured or killed on B.C. roads - 12 of them at the roadside.

Starting today, drivers must slow to 70 km/h on highways where the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, and to 40 km/h where the limit is below 80 km/h, when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle that has its
lights flashing. If there is another lane going in the same direction, drivers must also move into that lane if it is safe to do so.

The new rule applies when passing any emergency vehcile that is off to the side of the road, that includes: police, fire, ambulance and towing vehicles, as well as vehicles used by commercial vehicle safety and enforcement personnel, passenger vehicle inspectors, conservation officers, park rangers, and special provincial constables employed in the Ministry of Forests and Range.

Defying the new rule carries a $148 dollar fine which jumps to $173 dollars if you don't pay it within 30 days. You will also get three penalty points.

The existing law of pulling over and allowing an emergency vehicle to pass when an emergency vehicle is traveling to an event, remains in effect.

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Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 03:57 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: MoneKate on June 1 2009 6:52 AM

So what about highway maintenance workers? Not enough killed yet, or they don't generate revenue for the government.

Posted by: heidi1555 on June 1 2009 7:21 AM

People should slow down no matter who is on the side of the road. A life is a life. I think 70 is still too fast for highways. I'd hate to be hit by someone who was doing 70.

Posted by: metalman on June 1 2009 7:28 AM

Highway maintenance workers are like the rest of the working men and women who form the majority of the tax base; invisible to the government. Taken for granted, we are always there, just under the radar of those who must be obeyed.
metalman.

Posted by: realitysetsin on June 1 2009 7:42 AM

People shouldn't need a law to do this. It's a no brainer.

People should also flash their hazard lights to oncoming traffic if they see deer, or broke down motorists or any other hazard.

Posted by: Big-Wayne on June 1 2009 7:52 AM

I agree reality it is just common sense with regards to the workers on the highway

Posted by: gus on June 1 2009 8:21 AM

workers???? why only workers???? What about the flat tire or boiling radiator? The suspect trailer hitch? Person taking a sleep break? Person taking a roadside pee? Person pulling off the road to take a phone call? Person pulling off the road to slow traffic down?

Never know when any one of those will open a door and step out on the traffic lane side.

Typically no one slows down for them. The flashing lights? I think people are more likely to slow down for them.

70km/hr on a 110 km/hr four lane highway is going to be quite a bit at high traffic volumes. It is the kind of law that would cause police in some parts of North America to not bother with speeders since they will drastically impede traffic for 10 minutes or so if they keep their flashers on, to the point where that is more dangerous than catching a speeder.

Posted by: lmorge on June 1 2009 9:20 AM

It has been shown that at night, some people are sort of hypnotized by the flashing lights and inadvertantly veer towards them on the road. So, if they are required to slow down a bit, the reduced speed will allow them the time and distance to adjust .

Posted by: seamutt on June 1 2009 10:13 AM

How long before the tax collectors set up a false emergency to collect more tax. I have an issue with cops jumping out into traffic to nab speeders, there is no warning. Not to long ago a cop ran out in front of a car in front of me out of no where and that car and myself had to brake hard, he had just passed and pulled in. I almost got rear ended by a car behind me. Now if any of the cars had bad brakes that cop would have been toast.

Also folks be careful using the underpass into Wal-Mart as its a blind corner and the cops hide under there quit often for whatever. As you come around the corner, bang there they are. Dangerous situation if you ask me.

Posted by: backit on June 1 2009 1:07 PM

According to ICBC construction zones do apply higher penalties for speeding:
"If you�re caught speeding up to 20 km/h over the limit in your community or on a highway, the fine is $138. If you�re caught doing more than 60 km/h, the fine is $483. In a school, playground or construction zone, if you�re caught going up to 20 km/h over the speed limit, the fine is $196. And if you�re caught going more than 60 km/h, you�ll pay $483."
[url]http://www.icbc.com/road-safety/safer-drivers/speed[url]

Posted by: diplomat on June 1 2009 5:14 PM

Recently, while returning from Quesnel I set my cruise control for exactly the speed limit posted for the work zone at the new weigh scale four-laning site close to Red Rock.

I was passed by every vehicle that came up behind me (after persistent tailgating, of course) and I counted 16 of them. They even passed each other after passing me, and yes, there were working men right on the shoulder of the highway.

More ghost cars are needed, because hardly anyone obeys these limits that are set to keep workers from getting injured or killed.

Posted by: Matt Porteous on June 1 2009 11:17 PM

"Highway maintenance workers are like the rest of the working men and women who form the majority of the tax base; invisible to the government. Taken for granted, we are always there, just under the radar of those who must be obeyed.
metalman."

You guys and your government conspiracies are hilarious. If the Government hates road workers so much than tell me why speeding fines double in a work zone????

Posted by: seamutt on June 2 2009 8:23 AM

Highway workers are quite often near the road and there is no work zone.