Dozens of Vancouver Island drivers ticketed during BC roadside safety crackdown

Nearly 1,000 drivers across BC were ticketed in April for failing to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, tow trucks and roadside workers during a province-wide enforcement campaign.

According to BC Highway Patrol, officers issued 999 tickets during the month-long campaign, each carrying a $173 fine.

On Vancouver Island, officers handed out 39 tickets to drivers who failed to follow the “Slow Down, Move Over” law.

The campaign marked the first time all police agencies across BC participated in the enforcement effort, which is aimed at protecting emergency responders, tow truck operators and road maintenance crews working along busy highways and streets.

Under BC law, drivers must move into the furthest safe lane away from stopped vehicles displaying flashing red, blue or amber lights.

Drivers are also required to slow down to 70 km/h or less on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or higher, or 40 km/h or less on roads with lower speed limits.

The largest number of tickets came from Central BC, where 619 drivers were fined. The Kootenay region followed with 197 tickets, while Northern BC saw 85 and the South Coast region recorded 59.

Police also highlighted several serious incidents connected to the campaign, including a crash on the Cape Horn Interchange in Coquitlam on April 28th where a white Audi hatchback slammed into an unmarked police SUV and another vehicle while officers were conducting a traffic stop.

Emergency lights were activated at the time of the crash. No serious injuries were reported, though all three vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

The Audi driver was issued a $368 ticket for driving without due care and attention.

Police also pointed to a recent sentencing involving a 2023 crash near Field, where a tractor-trailer destroyed a tow truck and a Mercedes. A Calgary man was sentenced in April for dangerous driving in connection to the incident.

With summer construction season ramping up across Vancouver Island and the rest of the province, BC Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to stay alert when approaching roadside workers and emergency scenes.