Over 2,100 tickets, warnings issued in BC during 'Slow Down, Move Over' campaign

BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) officers across BC issued a total of over 2,100 tickets and warnings during the recent “Slow Down, Move Over” campaign.

Kelowna was the leader with 390 driver interactions, which was followed by 316 interactions in the Fraser Coast Integrated Road Safety Unit service area.

The intent of the “Slow Down, Move Over” law is to improve safety for first responders, highway maintenance workers and tow operators.

Under the campaign, drivers could face a ticket of $173 for failing to slow down and move over for official vehicles as well as possible criminal charges if a worker is injured or killed, says a release from the BCHP.

Earlier this month, BCHP officers working in the Cranbrook area explained that from 2008 to 2017, 230 workers were hit by motor vehicles and 12 of those workers died.

“Every roadside worker deserves to go home alive to their friends and families at the end of their workday,” says Corporal Melissa Jongema, BC Highway Patrol Media Relations Officer, in the release.

“We need to see the 230 roadside worker fatalities decrease to zero, so please save lives by continuing to slow down and move over when you see roadside workers present.”

During the campaign, BCHP officer also executed a Canada-wide immigration warrant and initiated 20 criminal investigation for various traffic, firearms and drug-related offences.

According to the release, officers seized many illegal items including:

• A rifle and scope;

• A loaded 9mm magazine;

• Drugs that appeared to be fentanyl, cocaine and steroids; and

• Illegal cannabis and cigarettes.

“Although our educational campaign for ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ is over, our officers will be paying attention to motorists failing to slow down for official vehicles all year,” Cpl. Jongema says.