MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES

(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment would like to take this opportunity to remind the motoring public about the Move over Legislation.

This Legislation which came into effect on April 3rd, 2003, is to increase both officer and public safety.

The Ontario Highway Traffic Act requires motorists when approaching a police, fire or ambulance vehicle stopped with its emergency lights flashing in the same direction of travel, either in a lane or on the shoulder of a road or highway, to slow down and pass with caution.

“Our officers will also be watching for motorists who don’t obey “Move Over” legislation, which calls for vehicles to move over one lane to the left where possible and safe to do so, or slow down when passing a police or other emergency vehicle parked on the road shoulder with its emergency lights flashing,” comments Acting Inspector, Brad Thompson, Norfolk County OPP Detachment.

If the road has two or more lanes, the motorist must move over into another lane, if it can be done safely. If a motorist can’t move over, they must slow down to a reasonable speed. Failing to do so can result in the following:

First offence – $400 to $2,000, plus three demerit points upon conviction and possible suspension of driver’s licence for up to two years.

Subsequent offence (within five years) – $1,000 to $4,000 fine, possible jail time up to

six months and possible suspension of driver’s licence for up to two years.

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