Morden Police Service continues to hand out tickets for drivers failing to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles and work crews on the side of the road or highway.
Last week, seven tickets were issued for Passing an Emergency Vehicle Engaged in Prescribed Activity While Using Emergency Equipment, Fail to Move into a Farther Lane which carries a fine of $298.
Chief Neduzak urges people to obey the laws.
"Those laws are in place, obviously, for safety for the workers out there and focusing on what they're doing on the roadway, not having to watch for traffic zooming by them at their heels. We want to get the message across that people need to slow down when passing these emergency workers, and to move over as far into the other lane as possible to go around them."
He explained why this is important.
"When we have a vehicle stopped at the side of the road, our focus is on that vehicle and the driver and the passengers in the vehicle. We need the drivers and the other people on the highway to pay attention to their driving, and be cautious when they're passing us, so we can do our jobs safely. That's the bottom line, there's been too many injuries and fatalities, honestly, with people not slowing down, going around emergency crews."
For those who are not familiar with the requirement, Neduzak provides the direction for drivers to follow.
"If the speed limit is anywhere between 40kms and no more than 79kms, then you must be traveling no faster than 40 kilometers per hour. If you are traveling in a speed zone that's 80 kms or more, then the maximum speed limit is 60kms per hour. So out on a highway where the usual speed limit is 90 or 100kms per hour when passing emergency workers, you must slow down to 60kms per hour."
While the fine and demerits should be a deterrent, Neduzak said safety should be the root of everyone's motivation.
"Everybody, at the end of the day, wants to get home safely and a simple traffic stop in our situation can be fatal when it's totally unnecessary and avoidable. When people know the laws, and be cautious and just slow down, it's like anything, give yourself a little extra time, slow down, and make sure everybody safe."