Slow to 60, for safety

By Lori Larsen

A recent announcement by the Government of Alberta stated that as of September 1 all drivers in Alberta operating a motor vehicle in the lane closest to any roadside worker vehicle stopped at the side of the road with its lights flashing, must slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower. Drivers must also move over to the far lane, if it’s safe to do so, and take reasonable steps to allow other drivers to move over as well.

“This is a commonsense rule change,” noted minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen. “If you see any flashing lights and people working on the side of the road, slow down to 60 km/h or move over to make an open lane beside them. We want to protect our police, paramedics, maintenance workers and tow truck drivers so they can get home safely at the end of the day. These people proudly serve Alberta, and we want to make sure we look out for them.”

Currently, only tow truck drivers and first responders are protected under the Traffic Safety Act, but now all roadside workers stopped on the side of the road, with their flashing lights activated, including first responders, tow truck operators, highway maintenance workers and snowplow operators, will be protected.

Failure to comply with this legislation can result in a fine and demerit points accordingly:

• variable fines and demerit points for failing to slow down to 60 km/h or the maximum speed limit, whichever is lower, when passing stopped roadside workers (the fine and demerits increase on an escalating scale, based on how much a driver exceeds the speed limit)

• $243 fine and three demerit points for failing to allow other drivers to move into a traffic lane farther from a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside work vehicle,

• a fine of $324 and three demerit points for unsafe passing of snowplows.

“ These new measures will undoubtedly protect our highway maintenance and snowplow crews,” said Volker Stevin Canada president and CEO Fred Desjarlais. “Slowing down when passing roadside workers will be a minor impact on drivers that has a tremendous effect on the safety of our workforce. No matter the season, our crews strive to get the travelling public home safely, and these changes ensure our crews will get home safely too.” session of a Weapon for dangerous purpose and pursuit involved–Flight from Peace Officer.

According to the Government of Alberta website between March 2018 and March 2021, there were approximately 130 collisions involving snowplows contracted by Transportation and Economic Corridors and during the winter of 2022-23, there were 37 collisions involving a governmentcontracted snowplow.

He was remanded into custody after a Judicial Interim Release Hearing and was to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Lloydminster on August 1.

A second male, resident of Sturgeon County, was charged with Resist Arrest, Possession of Stolen Property over $5,000, Possess Break-in Instruments and Fail to Comply with Release Order condition.

After a short pursuit, the suspect vehicle was disabled and entered the ditch. Two suspects fled from police on foot and with the assistance of the Police Dog Service, they were located and arrested. Investigation determined that the truck was stolen from Spruce Grove, a month prior.

One male, no fixed address, was charged with 13 criminal code offences, some of which include Discharge a Firearm, Assault with a Weapon, Disguised with Intent to Commit an Offence, Resist Arrest, Pos-

After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, he was released from custody and was required to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Vegreville on August 1.

Further investigation led police to conduct a search warrant at a property located in Lamont. Two stolen trucks were seized, along with two Saskatchewan licence plates and a stolen cargo trailer. This investigation is continuing and further criminal charges are pending.

Kick’n Country parade