December, 2001

Slow down for highway emergency workers

Travelling on Saskatchewan highways it’s not uncommon to see emergency personnel working on the side of the road at the scene of an accident. Imagine being one of those workers, focusing on your job, while traffic whizzes by you. It can be terrifying.

Last year, amendments were made to the Highway Traffic Act that included recommendations put forth by SGI to increase the safety of Saskatchewan emergency workers.

All drivers must slow down to 60 km/h when passing emergency vehicles stopped on the roadside that have their lights flashing. This includes city police and RCMP vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances.

"We often see emergency personnel working on or near the travelled portion of the highway, where they are at risk of injury from passing traffic. We care about our emergency personnel and we want to create a safe environment for these people to work," said Bernadette McIntyre, SGI's Assistant Vice President of the Vehicle and Driver Safety Services.

This change was supported by the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs; RCMP; Saskatchewan EMS Leadership Forum; Saskatchewan Association of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care; Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police; and, the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).

The fine for this offence starts at $140, plus $2 for every kilometre over the 60 km/h speed limit. If a driver is over 90 km/h, the fine increases to $4 for every kilometre over the 60 km/h speed limit. This is the same as the fine applied to passing highway workers.

"Hopefully this legislative change will help protect emergency personnel working on our highways," said McIntyre.

For media inquiries only, contact:
Julianne Jack
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 775-6907

For all other inquiries, call 1-800-667-8015.

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