But research has shown that blue lights are more easily seen in low-light and bad weather, which is so often when tow trucks are out in force. Currently in Alberta, tow trucks’ flashing beacon must use amber lights. Taking steps toward safer roads in AlbertaĪnother step toward increased safety? Allowing tow trucks to add blue lights to their existing array. “We’re calling for Alberta to apply its law in a way that’s consistent with the rest of the country.” “In every other province that has slow down, move over legislation, it applies to all traffic lanes in the same direction of travel,” he says. Failure to do so can result in a speeding fine that’s double the normal rate, plus demerit points.īut Alberta’s laws don’t go far enough, according to Jeff Kasbrick, vice-president of government and stakeholder relations at AMA. In Alberta, motorists must slow to 60 kilometres per hour (or less if the posted speed limit is lower than 60) if they’re in the lane directly next to a parked tow truck with its lights flashing. That incident, and many others like it, have inspired CAA clubs to name May 10 Slow Down, Move Over Day-to raise awareness of provincial laws that are meant to protect roadside emergency responders (including tow operators), and to foster a broader conversation surrounding roadside safety. “In the next lane, one driver slowed down but the guy behind didn’t, and so they collided right beside where I’d just been working.” “I was hooking up a vehicle that had stopped on Macleod Trail in the right-hand lane,” recalls Neal Joad, an AMA tow truck operator in Calgary. When you see blue and amber ahead, know that a tow truck operator is helping a stranded motorist-so please slow down, move over, and give them room to work, so everyone (including you!) can get home safely. New June 30, 2022: Blue flashing lights are now permitted on tow trucks in Alberta, in addition to the current amber, helping to improve the visibility and safety of tow operators and those they’re responding to.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |