new ontario driving law

[warningshot]

big fine and points...


Below is the the excerpt from the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
> relating to this offence. It is under section 159.1 (1), (2),
> (3),(4),(5).
> Approaching stopped emergency vehicle
> 159.1 (1) Upon approaching an emergency vehicle with its lamp
> producing intermittent flashes of red light or red and blue light
> that is stopped on a highway, the driver of a vehicle travelling on
> the same side of the highway shall slow down and proceed with
> caution, having due regard for traffic on and the conditions of the
> highway and the weather, to ensure that the driver does not collide
> with the emergency vehicle or endanger any person outside of the
> emergency vehicle. 2002, c. 21, s. 1; 2007, c. 13, s. 20.
> Same
> (2) Upon approaching an emergency vehicle with its lamp producing
> intermittent flashes of red light that is stopped on a highway with
> two or more lanes of traffic on the same side of the highway as the
> side on which the emergency vehicle is stopped, the driver of a
> vehicle travelling in the same lane that the emergency vehicle is
> stopped in or in a lane that is adjacent to the emergency vehicle,
> in addition to slowing down and proceeding with caution as required
> by subsection (1), shall move into another lane if the movement can
> be made in safety. 2002, c. 21, s. 1.
> Same
> (3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) prevents a driver from
> stopping his or her vehicle and not passing the stopped emergency
> vehicle if stopping can be done in safety and is not otherwise
> prohibited by law. 2002, c. 21, s. 1.
> Offence
> (4) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of
> an offence and on conviction is liable,
> (a) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $400 and not
> more than $2,000; and
> (b) for each subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000
> and not more than $4,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more
> than six months, or to both. 2002, c. 21, s. 1.
> Time limit for subsequent offence
> (5) An offence referred to in subsection (4) committed more than
> five years after a previous conviction for an offence referred to in
> subsection (4) is not a subsequent offence for the purpose of clause
> (4) (b). 2002, c. 21, s. 1
>
>
>

[Fox]

As long as they don't turn a pulled over cruiser just like a school bus. I was taught to slow down and give room anyway, not a bad idea to enforce it.

[Grizzly Adam]

Nothing new about that in the states!

Not a bad idea, really.

I can remember truckers talking about seeing if they could get close enough to troopers to "lift" their Smokey Bear hats from their heads! And I know of several law enforcement officers who have been killed by sideswiping traffic.

[A.W]

That particular law has been in effect for about a year now.

[chris4570]

I generally try to get into another lane as a courtesy. It can be dangerous at the side of a highway!!!