THUNDER BAY — Provincial police are reminding everyday motorists and truckers alike they could pay a steep price for failing to give officers and other emergency crews ample room when they're stopped on major routes outside Thunder Bay like highways 61 and 11-17.
Last week, OPP officers and Ministry of Transportation inspectors on patrol near the city handed out more than 25 tickets to drivers who were allegedly in violation of the Highway Traffic Act's Sec. 159.
The regulation requires that drivers "move over and proceed with caution for emergency vehicles."
The requirement means that on multi-lane highways, motorists must move to another lane if it's safe to do so.
On single-lane routes like Highway 61, "ensure you slow down and provide sufficient room for the emergency vehicle while keeping yourself safe," a provincial news release said.
The set fine for not doing so upon conviction is $400, with a maximum of $2,000 in some cases, a court may decide.
"There is also a penalty of three demerit points on your Ontario driving record and a possible suspension of your driver's licence for up to two years," Thunder Bay OPP acting Sgt. Joel Eppinghaus.
The Chronicle Journal / Local Journalism Initiative
