New driving rules aim at creating a buffer lane in certain circumstances to protect the driver and occupants of specific vehicles. The fines and demerit points that can be imposed on drivers for failing to comply with those rules are also specified.
Why Should This Measure Be Applied?
As part of their duties, certain workers must stop their vehicles on public highways to carry out interventions, risking being hit by a vehicle that is travelling on the road. Many people have been injured or even killed in these conditions. Properly executing “move over” manoeuvres increases these workers' safety as well as that of anyone who travels on the road near the stopped vehicle with flashing or rotating lights turned on.
Complying with this measure can help prevent injuries or even death!
When Does This Measure Apply?
You must carry out the “move over” manoeuvres when one of the vehicles below is stopped and its yellow arrow light signal or its rotating or flashing lights are activated.
Emergency vehicles
Tow truck
Surveillance vehicle
Specifically:
Police vehicle
Ambulance
Fire department vehicle
Vehicle from Contrôle routier Québec
Equipped with a yellow arrow light signal
How to Properly Execute the Manoeuvres
General rule: Create a buffer lane by slowing down, then putting as much distance as possible between you and the stopped vehicle, after making sure that you can do so safely. If needed, stop your vehicle to avoid endangering human life or safety.
More specifically, here are the correct manoeuvres to execute depending on the situation:
Intervention on the shoulder
Manoeuvre 1:
When a vehicle is stopped on the shoulder with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and putting as much distance as possible between you and the vehicle, while remaining in the same lane.
Manoeuvre 2:
When a vehicle is stopped on the shoulder with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and changing lanes after making sure it can be done safely.
Manoeuvre 3:
When a vehicle is stopped on the shoulder with its flashing or rotating lights activated , you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and, if a lane change is impossible because it cannot be done safely, by putting as much distance as possible between you and the stopped vehicle, while remaining in the lane in which you are travelling.
Intervention in a traffic lane
Manoeuvre 4:
When a vehicle is stopped in a traffic lane with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and changing lanes after making sure that it can be done safely. If necessary, stop to yield the right of way to vehicles travelling in the opposite direction first.
Manoeuvre 5:
When a vehicle is stopped in the lane in which you are travelling, with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and, if necessary, stopping. Then, change lanes after making sure that it can be done safely .
Manoeuvre 6:
When a vehicle is stopped in the lane contiguous to the lane in which you are travelling, with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down, then putting as much distance as possible between you and the stopped vehicle while remaining in the lane in which you are travelling.
Effective Date and Sanctions
This measure has been in force since August 5, 2012. In case of a violation, a $200 to $300 fine and a penalty of 4 demerit points shall be given.
Awareness Campaign
In order to explain the “move over” measure and the manoeuvres to be carried out, the ministère des Transports, the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec and their partners have conducted an awareness campaign with the theme "Protect those who protect us, respect the Move Over law".
This campaign includes:
A 30-second television message
A 30-second radio message
A web page that is mentioned in all aspects of the campaign and that also leads to a video describing the manoeuvres to be executed
Advertising in urban areas and on the Ministère's permanent advertisement network
An information sheet distributed by campaign partners during interventions on the road system
