Long weekend drivers urged to use caution
With the Victoria Day long weekend fast approaching and motorists gearing up for their first summer road trip, the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (JPMF) is reminding drivers to watch out for emergency vehicles when they hit the highway. The long weekend brings with it more traffic and, sadly, that results in more collisions.
“Because incidents on Canadian roadways increase during long weekends, police officers, firefighters, paramedics and tow-truck operators are at a greater risk of harm over long weekends,” said JPMF Managing Director Ian Wilson.
“Please pay attention when you get behind the wheel. Slow down when you’re driving by working emergency responders and if they approach you from behind with their lights flashing and sirens sounding, safely yield the right-of-way and pull over.”
The May long weekend coincides with National EMS Week (May 16-22) and National Road Safety Week (May 18-24), providing yet another reminder about the importance of driving safely around emergency personnel, vehicles and scenes.
The JPMF, which strives to eliminate preventable workplace fatalities and injuries to emergency responders, recently launched its Put Yourself in Our Boots public awareness campaign to highlight the hazards faced by first responders, including police, fire and EMS personnel. Go to www.OurBoots.ca for more information.
Here are some traffic safety tips motorists should follow:
1) Slow down – motorists must slow down to 60 km/hr, or less if the posted speed is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks that are stopped with their lights flashing.
2) Yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles – when they approach with sirens sounding, immediately move clear of the intersection or pull over to the right side of the two-way roadway. Once out of the way, stop until the emergency vehicle has passed and check that no other emergency vehicles are approaching.
3) Do not follow within 150 metres of any emergency vehicle that has its siren or lights operating.
4) Check your rear-view mirror regularly.
For more information, contact:
Ian Wilson
Managing Director
John Petropoulos Memorial Fund
403-891-4269
