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Just a day before going into effect, the Alberta government announced that they have delayed changes to the Traffic Safety Amendment Act.
Originally scheduled to come into effect on March 1, the changes would include different laws for passing emergency vehicles.
Instead, the province has pushed back the changes to September 1. They say their reasoning is to prevent confusion.
In the changes, all vehicles travelling in the same direction as a stopped emergency vehicle, roadside worker, or tow truck, must slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower.
Both lanes of traffic must slow to at least 60 km/h if it’s a single-lane highway.
Before these changes, only the closest lane to the emergency vehicle would need to slow down.
"The changes are extensive, and we require more time to communicate those changes and to make sure that the public understands what they are, and their associated penalties," said Jesse Ferbur, press secretary with Alberta Transportation.
Ferbur added that the province is preparing a three-month education campaign.
"The campaign will help raise awareness and increase safety for roadside workers across the province implementation of the changes."
Fines for passing an emergency vehicle on the side of the road can be over $800, depending on your speed. This delay and education campaign would people from getting ticketed for not knowing about the changed law.