Going Places

NEW HEATED SEAT s u m m e r 2 0 1 5 | g o i n g p l a c e s 49 towing companies in the province, we thought we had a good opportunity to step up for the whole industry and try to effect change in terms of government." It's a process that first began back in 2009 and bore fruit in 2011. at's when the gov- ernment decreed, under section 109.1 of e Highway Traffic Act, that drivers must slow down and, if possible, move over one full lane when approaching a construction zone or an emergency vehicle, such as a tow truck, by the side of the road – or face a steep fine. In 2014, an amendment was passed dou- bling the minimum fine to $300 and two demerit points on the offending driver's license (with a maximum of $2,000 and a one-year suspension). Moreover, it was spec- ified that drivers must slow to 40 kilometres per hour when the speed limit is below 80 km/hr, and to 60 km/hr where the limit is 80 and above. "It was included in our original proposal that the language of the legislation should include exact speed limits, and the reason behind that is you always want to be clear about what you are expecting motorists to do," Mager continues. "Prior to the speed limits being added, the Slow Down, Move Over law was very ambiguous, and motorists were ask- ing, 'How slow should I be going?' at's why we thought it was very important to have those speed limits explicitly stated." But just because the law's been passed doesn't mean Manitoba's tow-truck drivers are out of the woods yet. "e hardest thing is always going to be the enforcement of this law," Mager explains. "Obviously, police can't be at every call we do. But we know the RCMP and the Winnipeg Police Service and other policing agencies have done a really good job in tracking this down when they can and really being involved." S p e a k i n g fo r t h e M a n i to b a R C M P, Inspector Joanne Keeping, officer in charge of Traffic Services, says that enforcement is just part of the picture. "Our hope is that with education and awareness of the amendment, motorists will be clearly aware of the speeds to which they must ad just when passing emergency personnel, and that awareness will help everyone get home safely." Essentially, the responsibility lies with you, the driver, to change the way you think about your commute and reverse this dangerous and all-too-common trend. "I've felt what it's like to stand on the side of the road while a car whizzes by you," says Mager. "It's very scary, and something our drivers and other emergency personnel face every day. It wouldn't take much – a slight clip of the sideview mirror – to cause a lot of harm to the very person who is there offering help." And remember: the men and women behind the wheel of those trucks you're speeding by to get home to your family have families of their own. What's more, they're out there to help you. Afford them the same consideration. "We're really not trying to inconvenience anyone by blocking lanes and doing our job," adds Graham. "We're just trying to get home too at the end of the day." GP

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