On February 4, Lunenburg County District RCMP conducted a traffic safety initiative on Highway 103 near Chester to identify drivers failing to obey the ‘Move Over’ law.
An Act to Increase Safety for First Responders and Others, commonly known as the ‘Move Over’ law, came into effect in May 2010 and makes it an offence to drive faster than 60 km/h or the posted speed limit (whichever is the lesser of the two) when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing. The law also dictates that motorists must change to the lane farthest from the stopped emergency vehicle, if that lane is free and it is safe to do so. Failing to move over carries a minimum fine of $352.50.
Within one hour, Lunenburg District RCMP members charged five drivers for failing to move over while members were conducting traffic stops. The motorists were driving at speeds ranging from 98 to 107 km/h in a 100 km/hr zone.
“Violating the ‘Move Over’ law puts first responders in dangerous situations that could result in serious injuries or worse,” says Sgt. Mark MacPherson, Lunenburg District RCMP. “Our goal was to raise awareness about this law with motorists in our communities to protect first responders and motorists. Citizens can expect to see us out continuing to educate and enforce this law.”
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Source: Media Release
