Major Police Blitz Happening This Long Weekend

Published August 2, 2018 at 8:13 pm

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Drivers will want to be aware of an upcoming blitz that’s happening over the long weekend.

This civic holiday long weekend from August 3-6, 2018, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be conducting a campaign targeting drivers who don’t slow down and move over when an emergency vehicle approaches with its lights flashing.

It’s called the Move Over Campaign.

“With the first half of the year behind them, the OPP has laid 932 Move Over charges so far this year against drivers who failed to slow down and move over when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing,” reads a recent release from the OPP.

According to the OPP, too many drivers continue to ignore the rules at the expense of first responder safety. 

In 2017 alone, 2,137 charges were laid against drivers who did not move over.

“Any driver who has had to pull over to the roadside of a busy highway or road knows how unnerving and unsafe it feels to see traffic clipping by at close proximity,” said Brad Blair in the release, OPP Deputy Commissioner and Provincial Commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support.

“We need all drivers to be mindful of this when they see police, other emergency personnel and tow truck drivers on the roadside carrying out their public safety duties. Slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles if safe to do so will help reduce the number of these preventable collisions and allow those who provide help at the roadside to do their jobs safely.” 

According to the OPP, in 2017, there were six incidents where an OPP vehicle was stopped on the roadside and struck from behind while its emergency lights were activated.

It can be dangerous for drivers and first responders when drivers don’t slow down and move over. And the penalties are serious.

“The law carries a $400 to $2,000 fine, plus three demerit points upon conviction,” reads the statement.

“Subsequent offences (within five years) carry a $1,000 to $4,000 fine, possible jail time up to six months and possible suspension of your driver’s licence for up to two years.”

The OPP reminds drivers that the law was amended in 2015 to include tow trucks parked on the roadside with their amber lights flashing.

Be safe on the roads this long weekend!

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