Nearly 100 drivers were charged during an OPP campaign aimed at enforcing and increasing awareness of Ontario's "Move Over" law.
Between February 13 and 16, West Region OPP charged 95 drivers for violating the law that forces drivers to move over, when it is safe to do so, to give space to emergency vehicles at the side of the road. According to Acting Inspector Ross Stuart, OPP West Region Traffic and Marine Manager, 42 drivers were given warnings. At a news conference on Wednesday morning, he noted that the campaign was launched after six OPP cruisers were hit at the side of the roads over the previous six weeks.
"Thankfully, only one of our members sustained an injury in any of these collisions," he said. "However, it's easy to see how these could've been situations that quickly turned into tragedies."
According to Stuart, the overwhelming majority of drivers are aware of and obey the law. But among the 95 drivers that were charged, he says most were either ignorant of the law or just ignored it.
"I personally observed hundreds of vehicles moving over as per the requirement," he said. "The vast majority of motorists were abiding by the law and provided us with the space to do our job safely. That is great news and we are very appreciative for every driver who did so. Thank you!"
When asked what a driver should do if they come upon emergency vehicles at the side of the road but it is not safe for them to change lanes, Stuart said the best thing a driver can do is slow down and be very cautious as you pass.
In addition to the charges laid under the "move over" law, Stuart says there were also 99 speeding charges, four stunt driving charges, and 44 other Highway Traffic charges laid during the campaign.
OPP cruisers hit by vehicles at the side of the road:
December 23, 2022 – Middlesex County on Highway 401: Cruiser struck by civilian vehicle. Minor damage. No injuries (officer out of car). December 23, 2022 – Chatham on Highway 401: Cruiser hit by Tractor Trailer. Cruiser demolished. No injuries (officer out of car). December 23, 2022 – Wellington County: Cruiser struck from behind by civilian vehicle. Two civilians and an officer were in cruiser. Cruiser demolished. No injuries. January 25, 2023 – Chatham on Highway 401: Cruiser struck from behind by another passenger vehicle. Significant damage to cruiser. No injuries. January 25, 2023 – Chatham: Cruiser sideswiped by civilian vehicle. Significant damage to cruiser. No injuries. February 4, 2023 – Oxford on Highway 401: Cruiser struck from behind by civilian vehicle. Significant damage to cruiser. Minor injuries to officer.