Were you aware of this law?

[stealth]

I have to admit, I wasnt, or at least didnt think the penalties/enforcement were so severe....although it makes sense when you think about it.
Excuse the format, it was in an email I received.

FYI
>>
>> there is a new traffic law about 'parked cars with emergency lights
flushing'
>> you should know about.
>> Read on
>>
>>
>> Ontario drivers - attention
>>
>> I just had an experience which I hope you will not share.
>>
>> I was driving on the 417 West at Panmure at broad daylight at 2
p.m., when I came upon two police cruisers who had pulled over a third
vehicle. I slowed down to be cautious, and was surprised when the second
cruiser pulled out and pulled me over.
>>
>> Approaching on the passenger side, the officer asked if I knew why I
had been pulled over. I honestly expressed that I had no idea.
>>
>> He informed me that Ontario law now states that when approaching any
emergency vehicle, on the roadside, with lights flashing, you must
enter the left lane. He then proceeded to ticket me, taking three demerits
and issuing a fine of , wait for it, . . . $490! (Yes, I'm choking as
I type that.)
>>
>> I realize I did not change lanes, but I do believe I was cautious.
My message is, be careful. He said that they are cracking down hard on
this because of three injured officers in the last ten days.
>>
>> I did not realize this was the law. Neither did any of my
recently-licensed children. Or, evidently, not the 47 drivers (I counted) who
broke the same law as I sat waiting to receive my ticket!
>>
>>
>> Hi,
>> For my part, I saw this happen today (Feb 24th) on Highway 69 South
of Sudbury, on the passing lane on the Magnetewan flats.
>> A cruiser was parked on the shoulder of the southbound lane with his
lights flashing. He had no vehicle stopped, he was just parked there.
>> I was northbound and reduced my speed, the extra lane was on the
southbound side so, there were two lanes between me and the cruiser.
>> A southbound motorist passed the cruiser without moving to the outer
lane and the Officer immediately pulled out and gave chase to that
driver.
>> I saw him stopping him in my mirror before going over the next hill.
The car did not appear to be speeding, in fact he seemed to slow, but
failed to change lanes and was (presumably) stopped for that reason!
>>
>> Ted
>>
>>
>> Read the actual Law below:
>>
>> Below is the the excerpt from the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
relating to this offence. It is under section 159.1 (1), (2), (3),(4),(5).
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Approaching stopped emergency vehicle:
>>
>> 159.1 (1) Upon approaching an emergency vehicle with its lamp
producing intermittent flashes of red light or red and blue light that is
stopped on a highway, the driver of a vehicle travelling on the same
side of the highway shall slow down and proceed with caution, having due
regard for traffic on and the conditions of the highway and the
weather, to ensure that the driver does not collide with the emergency
vehicle or endanger any person outside of the emergency vehicle. 2002, c. 21,
s. 1; 2007, c. 13, s. 20.
>>
>> Same
>> (2) Upon approaching an emergency vehicle with its lamp producing
intermittent flashes of red light that is stopped on a highway with
two or more lanes of traffic on the same side of the highway as the side
on which the emergency vehicle is stopped, the driver of a vehicle
travelling in the same lane that the emergency vehicle is stopped in or in
a lane that is adjacent to the emergency vehicle, in addition to
slowing down and proceeding with caution as required by subsection (1), shall
move into another lane if the movement can be made in safety. 2002, c.
21, s. 1.
>>
>> Same
>> (3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) prevents a driver from
stopping his or her vehicle and not passing the stopped emergency vehicle if
stopping can be done in safety and is not otherwise prohibited by law.
2002, c. 21, s. 1.
>>
>> Offence
>> (4) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is guilty
of an offence and on conviction is liable,
>> (a) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $400 and not
more than $2,000; and
>> (b) for each subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000
and not more than $4,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than
six months, or to both. 2002, c. 21, s. 1.
>>
>> Time limit for subsequent offence
>> (5) An offence referred to in subsection (4) committed more than
five years after a previous conviction for an offence referred to in
subsection (4) is not a subsequent offence for the purpose of clause (4)
(b). 2002, c. 21, s. 1

So be careful everybody.

[GoiNGPoSTaL]

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=555566

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=560396

[GunnerX]

Should also be aware of:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/search.php

[corrupt123]

I was aware of it, but only because it's been posted on here half a dozen times. Fortunately, before I knew I had never been pulled over. I know there are a few places where thats the law (I heard from shows like "Craziest Police Videos!) in the states, so I do it because I knew that anyway.

I'm beginning to think it's a cash-grab though. The fine for running a red light is lower then the fine for driving past a police cruiser on the side of the road.... Weird.

[DSTU]

I have no sympathy for idots that are not aware of this law.

The Province has had radio ads, highway billboards advertising this law.

Plus it common sense!!!!

[DSTU]

I'm beginning to think it's a cash-grab though. The fine for running a red light is lower then the fine for driving past a police cruiser on the side of the road.... Weird.

The lives of emergency workers are on the line - I think they should increase the fine to $1000.

[MP3_SKY]

490$ is crazy....

I got a speeding ticket for driving 25km over...and it was 2 pts and 125$.

490$ just for that is insane.

[corrupt123]

The lives of emergency workers are on the line - I think they should increase the fine to $1000.

The lives of hundreds of people are on the line if I decide to drive 99km/h down yonge street, but the fine is still less (in terms of cash) then this.

[gei]

I had no idea this was the law, but I'm quite sure I always do it anyway.

Common sense FTW

[Ebola]

[BartBandy]

Common sense FTW

Always give a lane when someone is likely to open a car door in the next lane. Especially on the highway. It's not possible on some city streets, but it's just common sense on the highway, and unfathomable not to do so for most of us.

[Shaner]

Always give a lane when someone is likely to open a car door in the next lane. Especially on the highway. It's not possible on some city streets, but it's just common sense on the highway, and unfathomable not to do so for most of us.

Exactly. I've been doing this since I was 17 and got my G2, long before this law came into effect.

I just can't fathom that there are people out there who don't see this as being common sense. If someone is stopped on the side of the road (whether it be a cop or not) and you are able to move into the left lane, then there's no reason for you not to. Slowing down is good, but hitting someone at 80 km/hr is the same as hitting them at 120, they're dead either way. Move over to the left lane, it's not a hard concept to grasp!

It's unfortunate that it had to become law because people are too dumb to figure it out for themselves. I wonder if Europeans are as dumb as North Americans seem to be.

[budric]

Exactly. I've been doing this since I was 17 and got my G2, long before this law came into effect.

I just can't fathom that there are people out there who don't see this as being common sense. If someone is stopped on the side of the road (whether it be a cop or not) and you are able to move into the left lane, then there's no reason for you not to. Slowing down is good, but hitting someone at 80 km/hr is the same as hitting them at 120, they're dead either way. Move over to the left lane, it's not a hard concept to grasp!

It's unfortunate that it had to become law because people are too dumb to figure it out for themselves. I wonder if Europeans are as dumb as North Americans seem to be.

You say it as if it is normal/common practice to drive straight into the person that pulled over. Why is it not common sense to use caution when opening your door when there's traffic going 80+ around you?

[Shaner]

You say it as if it is normal/common practice to drive straight into the person that pulled over. Why is it not common sense to use caution when opening your door when there's traffic going 80+ around you?

There's been studies that prove that motorists are subconsciously drawn towards emergency vehicles that have their flashing lights on.

I'm sure you've seen hundreds of clips on TV where a sober motorist drives straight into the back of a stopped cruiser. It has nothing to do with the cop not using caution, it has to do with motorists driving straight into the cruiser. If they were in the left lane, it would be much less likely to occur, if at all.

[skanji]

i'm confused by this.

if an emergency vehicle has it's light on, we have to pull over and get out of its way. i always pull over to the right.

what's wrong with that?