The provincial government has introduced proposed changes to the Traffic Safety Act designed to improve emergency responder safety on Alberta roads and highways.
Introduced in the legislature Wednesday, Bill 5, the Traffic Safety Amendment Act 2022, will provide improved safety for roadside workers and enhance existing safety rules, Alberta Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney said during a press conference.
Currently motorists are required to slow to 60 kilometres per hour or the speed limit, whichever is lower, in the adjacent lane when passing an emergency vehicle or tow truck with its flashing lights activated.
Under the new legislation, all lanes of traffic travelling on the same side as a stopped emergency or roadside worker vehicle must slow down to 60 kilometres per hour or the speed limit, whichever is lower.
The same rule will apply to all vehicles travelling in both directions on highways with one lane in each direction.
“It’s all about introducing more safety for everyone on the road,” said Sawhney. “This is entirely about roadside safety. Every year there are dozens of collisions and near misses with snowplows on our roads and highways.
“Highway maintenance workers also face considerable risk when they work to keep our roads safe and clear throughout the year. More needs to be done to protect our roadside workers.”
The changes come following consultations with stakeholders, including the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (ARHCA).
“This legislation is greatly appreciated because we need drivers to slow down and to do their part to make our their highways - our worksites - safe and efficient for all,” said Ron Glen, ARHCA chief executive officer.
About 15,000 people responded to an online survey in 2021 regarding possible updates to Alberta’s traffic safety rules, with 60 per cent saying current passing laws are inadequate.
“We applaud these changes as an important first step in improving the safety of these essential workers and look forward to our continued work in further improving their visibility and safety,” said Michelle Chimko, Alberta Motor Association president and chief executive officer.
The legislation will come into effect in spring of 2023. In the meantime, the province will be undertaking an educational campaign to inform drivers about the changes.
Asked during the press conference about possible new enforcement provisions, such as fines, to go along with the Traffic Safety Act changes, Minister Sawhney replied, “We are going to spend some time defining the regulations so I can’t answer that question definitively. I will have more to say about that in the future.
“Let me assure you that there is no intention to create any type of a situation that would result in a cash-cow situation. This is entirely about safety for roadside workers.”
