With another long weekend upon us, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding drivers that paying attention to what’s happening on the roadside is just as important as keeping an eye on the road.
Despite Ontario’s Move Over law heading into its 20th year, police say every year, hundreds of drivers ignore this law and deny police and other emergency personnel the safe space they need to carry out their duties on the roadside.
In 2022, the OPP laid 846 charges against drivers who were in a position to, but failed to, slow down and move over a lane when approaching emergency vehicles with their emergency lights activated. The OPP has laid more than 600 such charges so far this year.
Since 1989, five OPP officers have been killed while on duty on the roadside after their vehicles were struck by approaching vehicles.
Ontario’s Move Over law carries a $490 to $2,000 fine, plus three demerit points, upon conviction. Subsequent offences carry a $1,000 to $4,000 fine, possible jail time of up to six months and suspension of your driver’s licence for up to two years.
