Alberta’s new distracted driving law, which takes effect Sept. 1, will go a long way in keeping emergency responders safe on the job.

“We’re excited about the new law,” says Ian Wilson, Managing Director of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (JPMF).

“It will make Alberta roads safer for all motorists, especially first responders.”

Emergency responders – including police, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel and tow truck drivers – spend many working hours in traffic and the new law is expected to improve driver awareness.

“We hope that will mean motorists are more alert and aware of their surroundings,” says Wilson.

“It’s important that drivers are aware of working emergency vehicles, whether they are at the side of the road, in which case motorists need to slow to 60 kilometres an hour when passing, or when emergency vehicles approach with lights and sirens activated, in which case drivers need to yield the right of way.”

Wilson says being aware of what to do behind the wheel when you encounter emergency responders will not only make for safer roads for those essential workers, but for those they are trying to serve as well.

“You never know what kind of call they’re responding to,” says Wilson.

“It could be someone you know in the back of that ambulance or it could be your house that a fire truck is going to. The more we can do to protect emergency responders and let them do their jobs, the safer we will all be.”

The JPMF’s Put Yourself in Our Boots safety campaign highlights the impact of distracted driving on emergency responders. The campaign’s 10-minute safety video discusses the issue and it is the focus of a 30-second public service announcement (PSA). Campaign radio PSAs also target distracted driving.

For more information, contact Wilson at ian@jpmf.ca or 403-891-4269.