Winter weather prompts reminders to 'Slow Down and Move Over'
First responders on the mid-island are asking for the public to obey “Slow Down and Move Over” laws, especially in light of this week's heavy snowfall.
“Our safety is our number one concern and it is challenging, especially along the Inland Highway, trying to get people to slow down on a good day,” says Chief Bruce Green of Oyster River Fire Rescue.
Provincial law requires motorists to slow down to 70km/h along highways and move over from the slow lane when approaching stopped vehicles with flashing lights.
“I would hope that people would understand that their stopping distance is a lot longer, so even though it says slow down and move over to 70, you should be going a lot slower than that,” Green says.
Green says his crews do whatever they can to notify drivers they’re approaching accident scenes, including using signage and flaggers. He says they will also turn their fire trucks sideways across roadways to protect firefighters from oncoming traffic.
“So if you see a big fire truck sideways across the road, that’s a good signal that something is going on and to slow down when you’re going through there," he says. "Obviously we’re there because of an accident."
Lead operator for Georgia Straight Towing Derek Mahy knows about the dangers tow truck drivers face, having faced some close calls himself.
“I was up on the highway the other day and I had all my traffic cones plowed down and they went about a kilometer up the highway, so if that was one of us, we probably would be in the hospital or worse,” Mahy says.
He says his trucks will often be accompanied by a second vehicle equipped with emergency lights to try to protect tow truck drivers and their vehicles.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.