Mr. Resch’s letter to the editor published March 18 is very disappointing. While he is informative to readers, reminding them of the slow down and move over driving rule, he chooses to slam the RCMP for their work and goes so far as to poke them for the rules of the Provincial Court of B.C.
As a Vernon resident, Mr. Resch will recall the tragic death of Vernon tow truck operator Ernie Semkiw in 2006. He was struck and killed by a passing vehicle on Highway 97 south of Vernon.
Ernie’s death was avoidable, all the more tragic.
His loss sparked a lobby by Vernon citizens to implement a long overdue law for motorists to slow down and move over (if available).
It is 70 kilometres an hour on the highway and 30 km/h in the city for roadside workers. This is their worksite and they deserve to go home to families at the end of their work day.
Not just police, but fire-rescue, ambulance, tow recovery, road maintenance and others.
The basic rule of thumb is any flashing light — amber, red, or blue. Respect their work site, slow down and move over if possible.
Many other jurisdictions have similar laws. Be a heads-up prudent driver. When this law went into effect years ago, a media campaign garnered a lot of attention. Signs are also posted. One Vernon tow truck even has an oversized graphic window display.
As for the RCMP; they are responsible for enforcement of this law. In their day-to-day duties, such as traffic stops and collision investigation, they are already tied up, busy with task-at-hand, and don’t have the opportunity to take enforcement action against motorists ignoring their responsibility to slow down and move over.
The Coquihalla Highway has the highest speed limit in Canada, 120 km/h, not 110 as Mr. Resch notes.
Would you want to be working on the shoulder of the road as traffic whistles past just inches away? What method should the police use to enforce the law?
As for the court, every person has the right to a hearing for their case. The police must be present at your hearing. Can you imagine how many venues an officer would have to travel to if those hearings were held in the defendant’s home town?
You speed near Winnipeg; your hearing is in Winnipeg. You speed near Merritt; your hearing is in Merritt.
The court registry picks the date, not the police. With co-operation and flexibility on both sides, dates can be changed to a mutually agreeable date.
Safe motoring,
Keith Ferguson, Retired Unit Commander,
RCMP North Okanagan Traffic Services
