A driver who whipped passed a police cruiser at almost 70 km/h over the posted speed limit on the Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge was one whose vehicle was impounded during a recent enforcement blitz.
On Feb. 17, the BC Highway Patrol’s Operational Support Unit was working with the Fraser Coast Integrated Road Safety Unit on a Slow Down, Move Over
campaign along Lougheed in Maple Ridge.
Two drivers lost their vehicles to the impound lot that day – one for impaired driving, and the other for passing a stopped police vehicle with emergency lights activated at 68 km/h over the limit.
The goal of the enforcement was to educate drivers about the “Slow Down, Move Over” law when passing a vehicle with flashing red, blue or yellow lights. The Motor Vehicle Act requires motorists to slow their speeds to 70 km/h when in an 80 km/h or over zone, or drop to 40 km/h when in an under 80 km/h zone. Also, when travelling on a multi-lane roadway, motorists are required to move into another lane if safe.
The intent of the law is to protect roadside workers, say police. From 2008 to 2017, 230 workers were hit by motor vehicles and 12 of those workers passed away.
“During Saturday’s campaign, we handed out several hundred ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ educational pamphlets. We also served a multitude of violation tickets ranging from distracted driving tickets to speeding to impaired driving,” said Sgt. Steve Martin, BC Highway Patrol’s police RoadSafetyBC liaison. “We are reminding the motoring public to slow down and, if it is safe to do so, move over when passing stopped official vehicles or face a $173 ticket.”
The ticket also carries three driver penalty points.
To learn more about the law and watch a video of BC Highway Patrol Chief Superintendent Holly Turton talk about ‘Slow Down, Move Over,’ visit the BC Highway Patrol website at: BC RCMP - Slow Down and Move Over – Let’s keep everyone safe (rcmp-grc.gc.ca).
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