Okanagan drivers aren’t following the 'slow down and move over' law

People are not following the rules of the road, says Kelowna RCMP.

A team of traffic enforcement officers with the Central Okanagan Traffic Services (COTS) recently did a test to see how many motorists followed the “slow down and move over” rule.

The “Slow Down and Move Over” rule requires drivers to slow down and move over when passing an emergency vehicle, which is stopped with its lights flashing.

On April 21, an operation took place along Highway 97, south of Peachland and RCMP say the results were staggering.

“During only a two hour period, enforcement officers issued a staggering number of 60 violation tickets to drivers who failed to slow to a maximum speed of 70 kilometres per hour when passing an emergency vehicle stopped with its emergency lights activated,” said Cst. Jesse O’Donaghey.

Under the Motor Vehicle Act Regulation, drivers could face a $173 fine for failing to slow down or move over.

“The compliance rate with this law appears to be an issue,” said Cst. Chris Neid of COTS.

“A law that is of course very near and dear to our hearts as emergency personnel. It contributes to our safety when working roadside and ultimately keeps us going home to our families at the end of our shifts,” added Neid.

During the operation officers worked approximately one kilometre away from a traffic sign along the highway, which told motorists about the “Slow Down and Move Over” law.