If you went through an RCMP checkstop over the past few months, you may have received a postcard from us. In addition to checking to ensure people are wearing their seatbelts and not driving impaired, we were helping raise awareness about New Brunswick's Move Over law.
The "Move Over" cards explaining what motorists must do are part of a campaign to help people better understand the law and why it's so important that it's obeyed, beyond the fact that it can be an expensive ticket. In addition to the cards, RCMP members went to social media to share their stories of what it's like to be doing their jobs on the side of the road and having close brushes with vehicles. As my colleague, Southeast District Cpl. Valerie Cyr, wrote on social media, "I can feel the wind down my neck when a vehicle passes me too close. I am constantly thinking, 'Is the driver paying attention and do they see me?' "
In my 18 years with the RCMP, it's a situation I have found myself in many times. When a vehicle zooms by you at 110 kilometres per hour, it's a very vulnerable and unsettling position to be in. I have personally had to brace myself, to not be knocked over from the sheer strength of the wind a close passing vehicle creates. It's not uncommon to hear stories from my fellow police officers about drivers passing so closely to them and their stopped police vehicle, that they, themselves, were clipped by the passing vehicle's side mirror.
As the New Brunswick RCMP is tasked with policing a large portion of the 18,000 kilometres of highways and secondary roads across the province, our members are well aware of the risks we take each time we exit our police vehicles. We do what we can to minimize the risk by constantly exercising vigilance and caution. This includes positioning our cars at the side of the road to give us a safety "pocket" from ongoing traffic, when possible.
In January 2013, we were given an additional tool in an effort to improve safety. That month, the Move Over Law came into effect in New Brunswick, to help protect the lives and safety of police officers, firefighters and emergency medical responders, while we perform our important duties on the sides of provincial roads.
Slowing down and moving over to the left not only protects police, emergency responders and other motorists, it also allows the passing vehicle's driver to react quickly if something unexpected happens at the side of the road, or another traffic emergency happens up ahead.
The Move Over Law is simple. When an emergency vehicle is stopped on the side of the road with its flashing lights on, drivers must slow down and proceed with caution; make sure it's safe to proceed, then move over to the left, and away from the stopped vehicle or vehicles. If there are two or more lanes, the passing driver must also move into another lane, if it can be done safely. This ensures that drivers won't collide with the emergency vehicle, or endanger anyone who is outside the emergency vehicle.
The fine for not slowing down and moving over to the left for emergency vehicles is $292.50. The real cost for drivers who fail to slow down and change lanes when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle can be far steeper, including the potential for loss of life or serious, life-changing injuries.
Ensuring the roads are safe is a priority for every Regular Member of the RCMP in New Brunswick and we take driving offences and traffic enforcement seriously. To be truly effective, though, is a group effort. We need the public's help and drivers' awareness to ensure we're all safe.
It only takes a split second and one inattentive driver, or someone behind the wheel disobeying the law by not slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles, to have tragic, even potentially fatal consequences.
While the response to our ongoing traffic enforcement efforts and our recent social media campaign has indicated an increase in awareness for the Move Over Law, and driver compliance, it is, of course, an ongoing effort.
My colleague with the RCMP's Tactical Traffic Enforcement Unit, Cst. Ray Gautreau, wrote on social media what we all deal with: "When I am on the side of the road with a stopped vehicle, there is always a concern that the driver passing me is not aware I'm there. There is little room to get out of the way."
Please help us by giving us that safety space. For more about the Move Over Law, you can visit our website at www.rcmp.ca/nb
Sgt. Mario Maillet
NB RCMP Tactical Traffic Enforcement Unit