Today, RCMP NL and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary are partnering to focus on speeding vehicles and those that fail to move over when police conduct traffic stops along the Trans Canada Highway in the Northeast Avalon area, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure safety on the province's roadways.
"Police officers with both the RCMP and the RNC continue to see drivers who do not adhere to move over legislation, which requires that vehicles slow down and move over when approaching a police or emergency vehicle stopped in a lane or edge of a roadway with traffic warning lights or signals displayed," said Sgt. Joe Collett, RCMP NL Traffic Services. "This creates a huge safety risk for police and other emergency responders at roadside, as well as the travelling public. We are targeting our education and enforcement efforts to change this dangerous driving behaviour."
September 12, 2018, marks the one-year anniversary of the death of RCMP officer Cst. Francis Deschenes, who was killed while assisting a motorist along a highway in New Brunswick in changing a flat tire. Cst. Deschenes was active in the implementation of the move over law in New Brunswick, which is now commonly referred to as "Frank's Law". Cst. Deschenes worked in this province for a short time in 2017.
"The tragic death of Cst. Deschenes highlights the need for education and enforcement of the move over law," said Cpl. Jolene Garland, Media Relations Officer, RCMP NL. "It is important that all drivers be aware of and adhere to the requirements of this law to protect police officers, all emergency responders and themselves."
Upon approaching an emergency vehicle that is stopped in a lane or on the edge or along the shoulder of the roadway, the driver of a vehicle travelling in the same direction must:
- Reduce the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is at least 30 kilometres an hour less than the posted speed limit and, where necessary, stop.
- Pass the emergency vehicle or designated vehicle only if it is safe to do so.
- Change lanes if there is another lane for travelling in the same direction. Otherwise, place as much distance as possible in the same lane between the vehicle and emergency vehicle, if safe to do so.
- Where the speed limit is less than 60 kilometres an hour, reduce the speed of the vehicle to a speed not greater than 30 kilometres an hour.
Further information about the move over law is available under Section 121.1 of the Highway Traffic Act, Newfoundland and Labrador.