Friday, January 2, 2015

New Move Over regulations in effect on BC Roads in 2015

In order to make conditions safer for roadside workers in 2015, the Province of British Columbia has modified it's Slow Down, Move Over rule.

Until December 31st, motorists were required to reduce their speed and if on a multi lane road, move over to another lane when passing stopped emergency vehicles with flashing light, those official vehicles were listed as  police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement Vehicles, Park Rangers and Conservation officers.

However, after consultation with a number of groups in the province, the Government has extended those regulations to include all roadside workers stopped on the side of a roadway.

“We are committed to better protecting roadside workers. That’s why we are simplifying the current rule. It means that drivers will no longer have to figure out what flashing light to pay attention to - it will now be easy to know the rules of the road. Drivers will now be required to slow down and move over for all vehicles with a flashing light.”-- Transportation Minister Todd Stone, outlining the background on recent changes to the Motor Vehicle Act

As of Thursday, motorists are required to reduce their speed and move to another lane if possible when passing by any vehicle displaying a flashing Blue, Yellow or Red Light.

Drivers  must slow their speed to 70 km/h  in an 80 K zone, and 40 km/h when travelling through an under 80 km/h zone.

Failure to adjust speed and move over can result in a $173 ticket and the assessment of three penalty points on your driving record.

You can review more on the changes to the Motor Vehicle Act here.

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