Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Help the lifesavers do their jobs
The people who drive and serve as crew in emergency vehicles sometimes risk their lives to save others. Drivers need to do their part in keeping these public servants as safe as possible while they work near roadways.
Manitoba law requires vehicles to slow down when travelling near stopped emergency vehicles with their emergency lights on. It’s not enough to just notice crews or emergency vehicles – you must slow down.
The fine for violating this law is $278.
It’s also important to give emergency crews space to do their jobs.
On a multi-laned highway, if there is a free lane beside you travelling in the same direction, and it is safe to do so, the law requires you to move into a traffic lane farther from the emergency vehicle to create space for the emergency personnel.
Drivers assume that because emergency vehicles are off to the side of the road, they can pass at highway speed. That isn't so because it just isn't safe – there are usually emergency workers moving around the scene and they may not see you coming.
Slow down when travelling near stopped emergency vehicles with their emergency lights on.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV, or check out
the following safety columns on this website:
- Emergency Vehicles in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second Driver video on Emergency Vehicles directly
