Drivers across the province, including Vancouver Island, are still not getting the message to "slow down and move over", despite multiple campaigns from B.C. Highway Patrol. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

slow down, move over

‘Keep each other safe:’ 175 tickets issued on Island during extended highway safety campaign

Mar 21, 2024 | 2:02 PM

NANAIMO — Despite multiple campaigns over the years, it appears drivers are still not getting the message to “slow down, and move over”.

RCMP B.C. Highway Patrol conducted several traffic stops across the province, including up and down Vancouver Island in early 2024 and served over 2,100 tickets and warnings with educational material.

Cpl. Melissa Jongema said infractions were given for drivers who failed to slow down and switch to the inside lane when passing any vehicles on the side of the highway.

“This was very much an educational-focused campaign rather than a punitive one because we wanted to build relationships with the communities and just hand out our brochures. Most of the 2,100 [province-wide] were just warnings with educational materials, some violation tickets were handed out.”

Vancouver Island saw 175 tickets and warnings issued.

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Jongema said tickets were reserved for those who were driving “incredibly unsafe” and not only failing to move over but also failing to drop their speed.

Vehicles travelling in an 80 kilometre per hour zone or more are required to drop speed to 70 kilometres per hour, while those in areas signed less than 80 kilometres per hour should be going 40.

“We do get hit and during this campaign, we did have an officer get injured while at a traffic stop. It is still quite clear we need to be educating the public on this.”

Possible penalties include a $173 fine for failing to slow down and move over for official vehicles, including tow trucks, while criminal charges are possible if a driver’s inaction leads to injury or death.

Jongema said a recent incident in the Lower Mainland saw people in an Uber killed after pulling off on the side of Hwy. 1 and being hit by a passing car.

“If you see a vehicle…slow down, switch lanes and have some respect for people who are working on the side of the highway then we can keep each other safe.”

During the campaign, officers also made several seizures of illegal materials, including weapons, ammunition, drugs and illegal cigarettes.

Twenty criminal investigations were launched for more serious offences, with a vast majority of them linked to illegal tobacco according to Jongema.

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