There is new legislation in Alberta that requires all drivers to slow down to 60 km/h or less when passing ALL emergency vehicles and tow trucks that have their lights flashing while stopped on the same side of the roadway (a similiar law applies to passing construction workers as well). The fine for not complying with this law is $632.00.
Other provinces have similiar legislation, so consider yourself warned. Ignorance of the law is not a defence.
Last year, my brother was killed helping direct traffic around a stalled vehicle all because one person was in too much of a hurry to slow down while going around an accident scene. One selfish act, some might say a "mistake" on the part of a driver, and my brother's life was over at the age of 30.
Some Albertans seem to think that this is "just a cash cow" or that the law is "a stupid waste if time" (which IMHO is a pretty self centered view). But if drivers can't use common sense, slow down and change lanes in order to pass a situation safely (and possibly care enough to safeguard someone elses life) then they should be hit with high fines - because it is the only way to make them (and others) care enough to slow down, everytime. You can never know when someone is going to be suddenly in front of you, and when they are it doesn't matter anymore why or how they got there.
One of my best friends is a Calgary Police Officer who, yes (for many reasons), you might see on the side of the road or at the scene of an accident sometime. She, like other emergency professionals, are all people just like you who have as much right to live their lives and to go home to their families as you do.
Pay attention, slow down when it is needed and drive defensively. This isn't about cash cows or over zealous traffic cops - it's about protecting peoples lives and the harsh reality that some "mistakes" can't be taken back or fixed.
Via: Globe and Mail
Sunday, January 08, 2006
This is a Public Service Announcement
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3 comments:
I think this is a very important law. I too would like my hubbie (EMS) and all of his friends and EMT students to make it home after work.
Amen to that.
I wish people would see this as simple as altering their own current driving habits in order to be more safe rather than blaming the government for trying to take more of their money away or arguing wether or not police officers should be considered emergency personel and therefore protected by this law.
Tickets are expensive because otherwise no one would care - it would be like a small fee for bending the rules that most people would be willing to pay.
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