May 1, 2014 is First Responders Day in Ontario, recently implemented to recognize the life-saving skills and the efforts put forth by first responders across the province on a daily basis. First responders include police, fire and emergency medical personnel, along with 9-1-1 dispatchers who assist residents in need of emergency services.
Along with recognizing these men and women as part of the first annual First Responders Day, the Timmins Police Service is launching the “See flashing lights? Move to the right!” campaign. This campaign is to remind motorists about the rules surrounding all emergency vehicles.
Residents are reminded that when an emergency vehicle is approaching with its lights activated, vehicles traveling in both directions are required to slow down and move to the right hand side of the road when safe to do so. Drivers failing to yield to emergency vehicles could face fines of over $400 and 6 demerit points.
It is also important for drivers to remember the “move over” law, a law designed to protect emergency responders when stopped on roadways. Under the Highway Traffic Act, motorists approaching stopped emergency vehicles must slow down and move into another lane, if safe to do so. In past years, police officers have been killed by passing vehicles while stopped on the shoulder of Ontario highways.
When on the road, our first responders are often thinking about others’ safety. Please keep their safety in mind by following the rules of the road surrounding emergency vehicles.
