Slow down, move over

Photo: RCMP

Police say they're flabbergasted by the number of motorists who do not know what to do when they see a vehicle at the side of the road with its emergency lights flashing.

Police conducted an operation south of Peachland on Highway 97 Thursday targeting drivers who failed to "slow down and move over" for a marked vehicle parked on the shoulder of the highway.

Police used a radar gun to track the speed of drivers as they passed.

"During only a two-hour period, enforcement officers issued a staggering number of 60 violation tickets to drivers who failed to slow to a maximum speed of 70 kilometres per hour when passing an emergency vehicle stopped with its emergency lights activated,” said Kelowna RCMP Const. Jesse O’Donaghey.

A fine of $173 can be imposed on drivers who fail to slow down and move over.

“The compliance rate with this law appears to be an issue,” said Const. Chris Neid of Central Okanagan Traffic Services.

“A law that is, of course, very near and dear to our hearts as emergency personnel. It contributes to our safety when working roadside and ultimately keeps us going home to our families at the end of our shifts.”

RCMP would also like to remind drivers to yield to emergency vehicles being operated with their emergency lights and/or sirens activated.

Thursday traffic enforcement took place just a kilometre away from a sign reminding motorists to slow down to 70 km/h and move over when they encounter an emergency vehicle at the side of the road with its lights flashing.