First responders say Nova Scotia motorists are ignoring ‘move over’ law

HALIFAX – Emergency responders say Nova Scotia drivers are not slowing down when driving past them, despite laws meant to protect them from speeding traffic.

Police in Halifax have issued almost 400 tickets this year to motorists who come too close to emergency vehicles, which is a violation of the province’s “move over” law.

“It’s our workspace, and if you’re on the side of the road and someone is passing, sometimes within feet of you at 100 kilometres per hour, it can be very unnerving,” said RCMP Const Jim Shields.

The law came into effect in April of 2010 and was designed to protect first responders. When drivers see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with another vehicle, they are required to move over a lane. It also requires drivers to reduce their speed to 60 kilometres per hour or to the posted speed limit if it’s less than that.

Emergency workers say many motorists aren’t slowing down.

“You can feel the truck move when a car is going by you at 140-150 kilometres an hour, way over the speed limit.” said Halifax Fire deputy chief Roy Hollet. “Even a slight impact to a firefighter could be tragic.”

Last week, a Halifax fire truck was hit while responding to a car accident. The truck sustained significant damage and two firefighters were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

“When we do arrive on a scene now, we will park the truck in a certain manner that if they’re going to hit anything, they’re going to hit the fire truck,” said Hollet. “Our vehicles are expendable. Our firefighters are not.”

The people who see the close calls on a daily basis say they have just one request for drivers.

“When you see those lights, just reduce your speed. That’s all I can ask,” said paramedic Penny Giles.