The B.C. government is making a Motor Vehicle Act regulation change to simplify the Slow Down Move Over rule, making it safer for roadside workers.

Effective January 1, 2015, motorists will be required to slow down and switch lanes to give more room to all vehicles displaying flashing red, blue or yellow lights.

The Slow Down Move Over rule previously only applied to “official vehicles” like emergency responders, tow trucks, park rangers and conservation officers.

Stakeholders, including the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association, raised concerns that the current regulation does not protect all roadside workers. For example, maintenance workers are frequently required to stop on the side of the road for inspections or highway maintenance. These workers are subject to an equal or higher risk than many of the workers covered under the current regulations.

The amendment will improve safety for all roadside workers, including highway maintenance workers, utility workers, land surveyors, animal control workers and garbage collectors, reducing the risk of them being struck by passing vehicles.

Drivers must slow their speed to 70km/h when in an 80km/h or over zone, and 40km/h when in an under 80km/h zone. If travelling on a multi-lane road, the driver must move into another lane to pass where safe to do so. Failing to adjust your speed appropriately or failing to move over can result in a $173 ticket and three penalty points.

“We are committed to better protecting roadside workers. That’s why we are simplifying the current rule. It means that drivers will no longer have to figure out what flashing light to pay attention to – it will now be easy to know the rules of the road. Drivers will now be required to slow down and move over for all vehicles with a flashing light,” says Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.