OPP remind motorists to move over this Civic Holiday weekend

WATCH: OPP Sgt. Dave Woodford discusses the increased police presence on highways during the Civic Holiday long weekend.

TORONTO – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are warning motorist that they’ll be looking out for drivers who disobey Ontario’s Move Over law, including bad driving behaviour, for the busy Civic Holiday long weekend.

The Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and pass with caution when they are approaching a police, fire or ambulance vehicle when travelling in the same direction or stopped on the roadside.

“If the road has multiple lanes, drivers must move over into another lane, if it can be done safely,” said the OPP in a media release.

Authorities say too many drivers avoid this law, which violated, can come with a $400 to $1200 fine and the loss of 3 demerit points upon conviction.

“Since 1989, we have lost 5 OPP officers who were tending to their duties on the side of the road when they were killed by approaching vehicles and many of our emergency partners have also died at the hands of careless drivers in the same situation,” said Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey in a media release.

Highway police will also be on the lookout this weekend for misbehaving drivers, impaired or distracted and those who are not wearing seat belts.

“Over the 2012 Civic Holiday Long Weekend, we lost 5 people in motor vehicle collisions within OPP jurisdiction and this year our officers will be on alert,” said Chief Superintendent Don Bell.

OPP officers will also be visible on the water and on trails, laying charges against people who show a disregard for public safety while boating or off-roading.

Officials say six people have died in off-road vehicle incidents so far this year and alcohol was a factor in four of those deaths.