Road Safety
Slow Down Move Over.
We rely on police, ambulance and fire truck personnel and tow truck drivers to keep us safe on the road. So, it’s important that we keep them safe, while they do their jobs.
Protecting Ontario’s tow truck drivers on the road.
Every year, tow truck drivers are injured or killed by passing vehicles. CAA believes that these essential service workers have the right to safe working conditions. CAA has been the leading advocate in Canada to ensure that slow down move over laws are enacted and include tow trucks, along with police, ambulance and fire.
In 2015, after many years of advocating on this issue at Queen’s Park, CAA SCO was successful in getting the government to include tow trucks in slow down move over legislation in Ontario.
As part of our ongoing advocacy efforts, CAA holds an annual National Slow Down Move Over day.
Let’s do our part and slow down and move over for stopped tow trucks with amber lights flashing.
What you should know about the Slow Down, Move Over legislation.
When approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing red lights or red and blue lights, or a tow truck with flashing amber lights stopped on the side of the road, you’re required by law to slow down and proceed with caution. If the road has two or more lanes, and it’s safe to do so, drivers should change lanes providing space for stopped service vehicles.
- Penalties include a minimum fine of $400 and three demerit points upon conviction
- Penalties for any subsequent offence (within 5 years) may include $1,000 to $4,000 in fines, possible jail time up to 6 months and possible suspension of driver’s license up to 2 years.
Know your rights when you need a tow.
Whether involved in a collision or experiencing a mechanical breakdown, motorists should be aware of their rights before authorizing a tow.
