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December 9, 2009  
TOW TRUCK DRIVERS WOULD BE PROTECTED UNDER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS  
 
Motorists would be required to slow down and pass tow trucks and roadside assistance vehicles only when it is safe to do so under amendments to the Highway Traffic Act introduced today by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton.  
 
The amendments, which were requested by the Canadian Automobile Association, would expand existing provisions of the Highway Traffic Act that require motorists to approach stopped emergency vehicles with caution when their beacons are flashing.  
 
“The message of these amendments is that when you see signals flashing, when you see people working at the side of the road, slow down,” said Ashton. “Workers have the right to do their job in safety and our job as motorists is to proceed with caution when we are driving past people who are working.”  
 
On multi-lane highways, motorists would also be required to move to a lane farther from vehicles that are stopped or working at the roadside when it is safe to do so. The legislation would also require motorists to follow the same procedures when passing vehicles used by government enforcement officers, such as motor carrier enforcement officers and conservation officers, when their beacons are activated.  
 
The set fine for drivers in violation of the new requirement would be $278.  
 
http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=2009-12-01&item=7311