Give Us Room to Work

 
Slow Down. Give Us Room to Work logo

Under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, if the lights on stopped emergency vehicles or tow trucks are flashing, drivers in the lane closest must slow down to 60 km/h or less.


Emergency workers:
order the Give Us Room to Work toolkit


How to approach emergency vehicles

Emergency vehicles include: ambulance, rescue, police, firefighters, tow trucks and public utility.
 

Slow down


If the lights of the emergency vehicle are flashing, and the emergency vehicle is pulled all the way over onto the shoulder of the road, drivers in the lane closest must slow down to 60 km/h or less.



Clear the lane


If the lights of the emergency vehicle are flashing, and part of the emergency vehicles extends into a lane, all vehicles must slow down to 60 km/h or less. There must be a completely empty lane between the emergency vehicle and the driving lane.


 

Failure to slow down may result in double speed fines.


When approaching emergency vehicles remember to:


  • Avoid distractions. Keep focused on your driving and not on the emergency scene. Beware that vehicles ahead of you may stop unexpectedly. Don't cause another collision by trying to see what happened.
  • Follow directions given by workers who may be directing traffic.

What are emergency workers really doing on the side of the road?


How to drive through construction zones and work areas

Construction zones include those areas where workers are busy in construction or maintenance work.


  • Slow down. Drivers must slow down to the posted speed limit even if workers are not visible. Road conditions through construction zones may not be optimal, so slowing down is for your safety, and the safety of your vehicle as well.
  • 'Where workers are present' refers to areas where workers are on or near the road and are operating heavy equipment, acting as flag persons and working with hand tools on the ground. Remember, workers can be hidden behind equipment, construction materials, etc.

Failure to slow down may result in double speed fines.


Speed Fines Double


  • Road signs that point out 'Speed Fines Double' with the wording Begins will be mounted below the maximum speed sign in the work area.
  • The double speed fine area will end at the Maximum Speed Sign, which resumes the normal speed limit.

Speed fine range when doubled


Speed Demerits Fine range normal
 Fine range doubled
1-15 km/h over
 2 $57 to $89
 $114 to $178
16-30 km/h over
 3 $103 to $177
 $206 to $354
31-50 km/h over
 4 $187 to $351
 $374 to $702
50+ km/h over
 6 $187 to $351
 Fines are at the discretion of the Court