Please note a correction below in bold.

• “Motorists must slow down to 60 kilometres per hour, or less if the posted speed limit is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks stopped with their lights flashing.”If you are passing an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road, remember, any road with a posted speed limit as 80 km/h or upwards means you must slow down to 60 km/h, whereas a road with a posted speed limit of 79 km/h or lower requires you to slow down to 40 km/h.

Here’s a timely update from the Parkland RCMP.  I was driving around the city this weekend and saw two instances where an ambulance, with siren and flashing lights on, made its way through traffic.  There were no real issues that I could see, because traffic was light.  But it was obvious that there was a ton of confusion as to what to do.  It’s one thing at an intersection and you’re stopped … you start to crowd right, and try to make a path.

But what about if you’re on the QEII travelling at 110 kph .. do you pull over and stop?  Do you slow down?  How slow?

Hopefully you’ll find some clarification in the article below and be a safer driver as a result of it.

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Parkland RCMP – Move over and stop for emergency responders

Spruce Grove, Alta. – Parkland RCMP would like to remind the public of the importance of pulling over and stopping for flashing emergency lights and sirens.  The Alberta Traffic Safety Act states:  when an emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire, police or peace officers) is approaching you from any direction and is sounding a siren, you must yield the right-of-way.

If you hear a siren or see flashing emergency lights:

• Clear the intersection.
• If you are driving on a road with one or two lanes, pull over on the right side of the road.
• Remember to use your signal.
• If you are driving on a road with three or more lanes, clear the intersection and move your vehicle to the nearest side of the road.
• If you are in the centre lane, pull your vehicle over to the right side of the road, come to a complete stop and wait for the emergency vehicle to pass you.
• Move right or left to the nearest curb on 1-way streets.
• Emergency vehicles have the right-of-way and take precedence over all other traffic. Keep to the side of the street until they have safely passed and watch closely for additional emergency vehicles approaching from behind.
• Don’t enter an intersection until the emergency vehicle is completely through it, even if you have a green light. The only exception to this rule is when a peace officer gives you other directions.
• Remember, you must not follow within 150 m of any emergency vehicle that has its siren or lights operating
• Be considerate of other drivers that have pulled over in front of you.
• “Motorists must slow down to 60 kilometres per hour, or less if the posted speed limit is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks stopped with their lights flashing.”If you are passing an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the road, remember, any road with a posted speed limit as 80 km/h or upwards means you must slow down to 60 km/h, whereas a road with a posted speed limit of 79 km/h or lower requires you to slow down to 40 km/h.
• Failing to slow down puts emergency workers, including tow truck drivers and other motorists at risk of serious injury or even death.

If you fail to slow down for emergency vehicles or tow trucks parked road side with emergency lights flashing, fines for speeding are double.  If you fail to yield to emergency vehicles with emergency lights and sirens engaged, you could receive a fine and demerits.

By remembering these rules of the road, you will help emergency responders get to the scene as quickly as possible and keep emergency personnel safe who are assisting road side.

If you observe drivers who are putting emergency responders at risk, please contact the Parkland RCMP at 825-220-7267 or your nearest police department.   If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

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