BC Highway Patrol issues reminder over driving law most aren't sure of
Apparently, April is Slow Down, Move Over month, and it’s regarding a driving law that a 2025 survey revealed most B.C. residents are either unsure of or don’t know about.
Put plainly, the law states that motorists in British Columbia are required to slow down and move over for any vehicles that are stopped alongside the road that have either flashing red, blue, or yellow lights.
“This includes maintenance workers, utility workers, police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement personnel, land surveyors, animal control workers, garbage collectors and other roadside workers,” the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit says.
The B.C. driving law states that motorists must reduce speeds to 70 km/h when in an 80 km/h or over zone, or 40 km/h when in an under 80 km/h zone.
“If travelling on a multi-lane road, drivers must move into another lane to pass when passing stopped vehicles with a flashing light, where safe to do so. This provides roadside workers and emergency personnel with greater protection from accident and injury,” the ministry states.
According to the BC Highway Patrol (BCHP), for the first time ever, this April will be dedicated to the Slow Down, Move Over campaign.
“Throughout April, motorists are being reminded to use the 70/40 rule whenever they see vehicles with flashing amber, red, or blue lights,” BCHP says.
BCHP says the penalty for disobeying is $173.
Last spring, a BCAA survey revealed that 70 per cent of drivers were unsure of this specific law. A further 81 per cent observed poor driving behaviour, including failing to slow down and move over when required.
Why?
According to drivers surveyed by BCAA, 51 per cent blamed rushing, while 50 per cent blamed distracted driving for people failing to slow down and move over. A further 61 per cent believe that drivers aren’t even aware of the law, while 59 per cent believe that drivers don’t care about the risk they pose to others.
Do you agree with the surveyed drivers that people just don’t care about the risk they pose?