This was passed along to me from a friend, the OP is near Ottawa....
I usually move over a lane anyway, but didn't know the law re this.



__________________________________________________ _________________
Read the actual Law below:
Below is the the excerpt from the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. relating to this offence. It is under section 159.1 (1), (2), (3),(4),(5).


Approaching stopped emergency vehicle
159.1 (1) Upon approaching an emergency vehicle with its lamp producing intermittent flashes of red light or red and blue light that is stopped on a highway, the driver of a vehicle travelling on the same side of the highway shall slow down and proceed with caution, having due regard for traffic on and the conditions of the highway and the weather, to ensure that the driver does not collide with the emergency vehicle or endanger any person outside of the emergency vehicle. 2002, c. 21, s. 1; 2007, c. 13, s. 20.
Same
(2) Upon approaching an emergency vehicle with its lamp producing intermittent flashes of red light that is stopped on a highway with two or more lanes of traffic on the same side of the highway as the side on which the emergency vehicle is stopped, the driver of a vehicle travelling in the same lane that the emergency vehicle is stopped in or in a lane that is adjacent to the emergency vehicle, in addition to slowing down and proceeding with caution as required by subsection (1), shall move into another lane if the movement can be made in safety. 2002, c. 21, s. 1.
Same
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) prevents a driver from stopping his or her vehicle and not passing the stopped emergency vehicle if stopping can be done in safety and is not otherwise prohibited by law. 2002, c. 21, s. 1.
Offence
(4) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable,
(a) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $400 and not more than $2,000; and
(b) for each subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $4,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both. 2002, c. 21, s. 1.
Time limit for subsequent offence
(5) An offence referred to in subsection (4) committed more than five years after a previous conviction for an offence referred to in subsection (4) is not a subsequent offence for the purpose of clause (4) (b). 2002, c. 21, s. 1

 

Ouch. I *think* here in Alberta you only have to slow down to 50k, I've heard of a few people getting nailed with that, but not the lane change. I would normally do that, anyway, but to get dinged so hard for it, wow.

 

Effective October 31, 2005, new legislation makes it safer for police officers,
firefighters, ambulance workers, tow truck operators and construction workers
on Alberta’s roads.
• Motorists must slow to 60 km/h, or less if the posted speed is lower, when
passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks stopped with their lights flashing.
Fines for speeding in these areas will be doubled.
• In construction zones, motorists must observe the posted speed. When
workers are present, fines for speeding in these areas will be doubled.

The fines have been huge for not observing this law in Alberta as well:

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/12/a...r-speed-limit/

I would agree with this type of fine in an emergency situation, but I think it's pretty dishonest that the police now use 2 units for a simple traffic stop (One to give the $632 ticket for not slowing down for an "emergency vehicle"). I wonder how many people know that this law extends to tow trucks?

 

Ouch indeed. I thought it was 60km/h in Alberta though.

 

hmmmmm.. i usually move a lane over anyways.. just my gut reaction.. but good to know. thanks for the info and head's up. i've also noticed that traffic cops are now positioning their cruisers in a very aggressive position behind the stopped vehicle.. in order to protect themselves from traffic.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

I actually heard about this a while back. I didn't know this was law though.

Thanks for the info Ian.

I remember driving in the States and a lot of drivers move over when an emergency vehicle is on the side. Honestly, makes total sense to me, but the ticket doesn't. $490 is steep.

 

wow.. did not know that, thanks for the heads up!

 

It is indeed. Like the man in the orthopedic sneakers, I stand corrected.

 

Thanks for the 411, Ian....I also got that by email this week. Good to know (and do).

C.

 

wow, your friend got the bum rap even after explaining himself. That sucks. Thanks for the heads up and I hope your friend can fight the ticket off!

Ian, i hope you don't mind but I'm going to forward this thread to the 350z owners over on my350z.

 

Good post Ian.

 

Absolutely...
It's intended to be circulated

 

Thanks Ian, I now know the law and will obey ( this one ).

 

That email is bogus, like one of those "send this letter to 20 people and you shall find happiness". I saw it few months ago.
But yeah, you have to move a lane over.