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
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.