The Alberta government is making some changes to new rules about passing roadside workers.
Starting Sept. 1, drivers that are in the lane closest to a roadside worker vehicle with flashing lights, must slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, if slower.
Right now, the Traffic Safety Act only requires drivers to slow down while passing tow trucks and first responders, not maintenance workers like snow plow operators. Last winter, there were 37 collisions that involved snow plows.
The government launched a public education campaign about the changes on Tuesday.
Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s transportation minister, said the change both simplifies the rule and makes it more inclusive.
This new rule will be applied to all highways, including those under municipal management, like Edmonton’s Whitemud Drive.
Failing to slow to 60 km/h while passing a roadside vehicle with activated lights, or to allow other drivers to move into a lane farther away from the stopped vehicle, will cost a driver $243 as well as three demerits.
Unsafely passing a snow plow comes with a $324 fine, as well as three lost demerit points.
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