MONTREAL - Quebec motorists risk a painful $200-$300 fine and four demerit points if they flout a new Move Over Law that comes into effect Sunday, August 5.
The law, which is in already force in many other provinces and states, orders drivers to vacate a lane for emergency vehicles and adjacent to cars stopped on the roadside.
Quebec’s vehicular authority SAAQ detailed a half-dozen situations on their site in which motorists are expected to clear a lane in the presence of a tow-truck, ambulance, fire department vehicle or other official vehicle with flashing lights.
The initiative was at least partially inspired by the personal experience of paramedic Patrick Dufresne, who launched a petition for the measure after a colleague was hit by a car.
“Some people are just passing beside the police car, and don't move, don’t slow down,” Dufresne.
The rules a pretty simple, according to the province’s top traffic authority.
“First of all slow down and then move over. That's basically what we are asking for,” said Transport Minister Pierre Moreau.
The provincial cops are also keen to see the changes, which they deem will make conditions safer.
“It’s dangerous to work on an expressway, on a highway most of the time. That kind of improvement is very important for us,” said Yves Bouchard of the Surete du Quebec.
And another who does similar work echoed those sentiments.
“Sometimes they just pass the side of our legs you know, so if they are 15 feet away, we’ll be safer, for sure, said tow trucker Operator Pierre Charette.
