Tow truck drivers in Thunder Bay have been killed from traffic passing too close to the roadside and police are warning new laws to give those vehicles space will be enforced.
Under the new Bill 31 set to take effect on Sept. 1, tow trucks will be added to the list of emergency vehicles motorists will need to slow and change lanes while passing. Failure to heed tow trucks room to work can result in a $400 fine and three demerit points.
Thunder Bay Police Service traffic sergeant Glenn Porter sees local drivers frequently disregarding existing traffic laws regarding giving way for emergency vehicles and the changing rules present an opportunity to resolve bad driving habits.
"Don't be surprised if you see, in a situation like this, the officer doing his job and then there's another team of officers down the road, just seeing if people are compliant," he said.
"We will be doing that enforcement."
On four-lane roads, the law demands motorists slow down and change lanes. On two lane roads where there's no room to pull out, Porter suggested stopping until oncoming traffic subsides.
Const. Mark Catteni said the issue is often discussed among officers and close calls can happen several times in a shift, especially at night. He pointed out the danger officers can face inside a vehicle is great enough without having to worry about the traffic at his back.
"Unfortunately in daytime and nighttime, people are often looking at the traffic stop taking place -- they're often attracted by the lights -- and more than once, they've come dangerously close to hitting myself or the vehicles or other passengers or motorists that may be outside of the vehicle."
