For the sake of a life, move over

Since 1989, five OPP officers have been killed on provincial highways while parked at the side of the road. In the last five months alone, at least six OPP officers have been involved in incidents where they were either hit by a vehicle or their cruiser was hit while they were parked on the side of the road, with their emergency lights activated.

Caledon OPP is reminding motorists it is the law, when approaching a police, fire or ambulance vehicle stopped with its emergency lights flashing in the same direction of travel, either in a lane or on the shoulder of a road or highway, to slow down and pass with caution.

If the road has two or more lanes, the motorist must move over into another lane, if it can be done safely. If a motorist can't move over, they must slow down to a reasonable speed. Failing to do so can result in the following:

First offence- $400 to $2,000 fine, plus three demerit points upon conviction and possible suspension of driver's licence for up to two years.

Subsequent offence (within five years of the first offence) - $1,000 to $4,000 fine, possible jail time of up to six months and possible suspension of driver's licence for up to two years.

This law has been in effect since April 2003, however some motorists are still unaware of their responsibilities in this type of situation. All drivers have a responsibility to know the rules of the road as outlined in the Highway Traffic Act.