New Video Shows Dangers Of Not Moving Over In An Emergency

Toronto Police and the O.P.P. have five words for you: Get Out Of The Way!

Cops across the province continue to be concerned that motorists are either unaware or too selfish to pull over when an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens flashing tries to get by them on a busy highway or city street.

It’s not only a necessity for saving lives, it’s also the law.

A new video shows the right way and the wrong way to let the rescue crews get by. It’s been a campaign that authorities have long been touting, accentuated by the death of a veteran officer in a traffic accident on Highway 401 seven years ago.

“It is hoped that this video will assist and protect our paramedics, our firefighters and our police officers from being involved in tragic circumstances such as the devastating collision in June of 2000 which took the life of Ontario Provincial Police Sergeant Margaret Eve,” relates Chief Bill Blair.

Eve and a partner were on their way to an emergency call when a passing truck hit their car. She died two days later, becoming the first female OPP officer ever killed in the line of duty.

Her family – including the two children she left behind – where there when the video was unveiled on Monday.  

“This is something that we’re very proud of because it will save others,” agrees her sister, Brenda Herbert. “It will save people’s lives.”

Crews respond to 3,000 urgent summonses in the GTA every day. A first-time offender can be charged $2,000 in fines and lose three demerit points for failing to give up the right of way.

“You can imagine the stress and frustration of our firefighters as they attempt to negotiate their way through heavy traffic or responding to a 911 call for a child not breathing, a hazardous chemical spill or a family who’s trapped as a result of a fire,” relates Fire Chief Bill Stewart.

 “Time and time again, with lights and sirens blaring, we encounter drivers with radios turned up so loudly, they fail to hear us as we approach on our vehicles from behind them.”

You’ll be seeing more reminders of the campaign as it ramps up – new “Move Over” signs have been put up as a not-so-subtle reminder on highways across the province.

To see the full video, click here.

What should you do if you see those flashing lights in your mirror? A lot depends on where you are when it happens.

What the law requires you to do

Pull to the right and stop as soon as it’s safe to do so. It applies to traffic going in either direction. 

Here’s how to respond to the various scenarios, according to the MTO:

On a multi-lane highway (max. 100 km/h speed limit)

Slow down, signal and move to the right. If possible, pull as close as you can to the right side of the roadway and stop it’s when safe to do so. Look for other vehicles that also may have to move across lanes of traffic to yield the right of way. Don’t move onto the shoulder. Emergency vehicles need it if everything else is blocked.

On a two-lane road

Signal and move to the right. Pull as close as possible to the right edge of the road and clear of any intersection.

On a one-way street

Signal and pull to the right or the left side of the street, clear of any intersections, and stop.

At intersections

Traffic in an intersection or approaching from all directions must yield to an emergency vehicle until it passes through. Don’t block the intersection or try to make it across in advance of the oncoming siren-bearing car.  And don’t make a left turn if an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind you. You should keep going through the intersection, then pull to the right and stop.

Other tips:

• Don’t keep your radio on too loud so that you can’t hear sirens or other indicators.
• Beware of distractions like cell phone conservations which could take your attention off the route in front of you.
• Don’t slam on your brakes or pull over too quickly. You could cause another accident. Signal your intentions and then get out of the way. Check your mirrors to make sure other cars aren’t trying to do the same thing in the same space.
• Keep your distance behind the speeding vehicles. The law requires you to stay 150 metres behind a fire truck or an ambulance going in the same direction.

Source: MTO