ADVOCACY
CAA Reminds Motorists to
Slow Down, Move Over
CAA Manitoba’s education and awareness efforts help to ensure the safety of tow truck operators and other emergency vehicles.
By Waheeda Harris
Creating a safe experience when providing roadside assistance is of the utmost importance. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF CAA
TOW TRUCK OPERATORS AND EMERGENCY WORKERS — including police officers, firefighters and paramedics — routinely find themselves in dangerous situations while working on busy roads and highways. Every year, there are collisions and near misses on our roads involving roadside workers and motorists that could be avoided if drivers would Slow Down, Move Over (SDMO) — a law that has been part of Manitoba’s Highway Traffic Act since 2011.
UNDERSTANDING THE LAW AND PENALTIES
According to a recent CAA Member survey, 80 percent of Members have heard of the Slow Down, Move Over law, and 99 percent support it. Despite the exceptional level of support, only just over half of the respondents are aware of the correct driver behaviour, and just over one-third are unaware of the penalties associated with not adhering to the law. “Education is key, because this law is a critical part of road safety,” says Ewald Friesen, CAA Manitoba’s manager of government and community relations.
“If you see a tow truck or emergency vehicle stopped with its lights flashing, drivers are required to reduce their speed,” says Friesen. “If the posted speed limit is less than 80 km/h, [drivers] are required to slow down to 40 km/h. If the posted speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, [drivers] are required to slow down to 60 km/h.” In addition, Friesen says, motorists are required to move to an open lane if it is safe to do so.
“The roadside is also someone’s workplace,” says Friesen. “These simple actions can save lives and protect those who are working in dangerous conditions.”
The law applies to all emergency workers, yet while motorists are more apt to respond to the lights and sirens of firetrucks, ambulances and police vehicles, there is less awareness around the need to slow down and move over for tow trucks, whose drivers are just as vulnerable.
“Through advocacy, education and awareness of Slow Down, Move Over laws, we wish to support drivers in their crucial role in preventing incidents and fostering a culture of care and safety on Manitoba’s highways.”
CAA National’s annual Slow Down, Move Over Day is recognized on the second Tuesday of May. This year, CAA Manitoba partnered with the Government of Manitoba and the RCMP to increase awareness and education of this law and to inform motorists that the RCMP will be stepping up their enforcement efforts across the province.
Sergeant Mark Hume, unit commander, North West Traffic Services, Manitoba RCMP, highlighted, “Violators can be charged under Section 109.1(2) of the Highway Traffic Act [with a $298 fine] at a minimum. Aggravated circumstances can result in more severe charges.”
The consequences of neglecting these laws can be tragic, not only for roadside workers but also for drivers and passengers. The hope is that this initiative will help remind drivers of the importance of safe driving behaviours and encourage everyone to do their part to keep Manitoba’s roads and highways safe.
In addition to proclaiming May 13, 2025, Slow Down, Move Over Day, the Government of Manitoba also announced Bill 38, a new safety measure that, when passed, will allow tow operators to place traffic control devices, such as pylons, behind their tow vehicles to increase visibility and enhance safety.
“Through advocacy, education and awareness of Slow Down, Move Over laws, we wish to support drivers in their crucial role in preventing incidents and fostering a culture of care and safety on Manitoba’s highways,” concluded Friesen.
CAA continues to pursue several other road safety issues, including protections related to distracted driving, speeding, dangerous driving, cannabis-impaired driving and school zone safety. CAA