Summer is a great time to get outside and visit the beach, cottage or go camping. However, highway driving in the summer can come with its own set of safety hazards and opportunities to be ticketed. These two tips can help keep you out of trouble.
If you see the police pulled over with their lights flashing
In the summer, we see a lot more of police pulling over drivers for speeding. In order to avoid any accidents, it is important to know how that there is a recent law that governs how you can pass them. You need to slow down to 60 km per hour and move over to furthest lane travelling your direction.
If you happen to be on a road where the speed limit is less than 60, or there is only one lane travelling in your direction, you are fine to keep going as usual (just keep a lookout).
If you are on the other side of a median from the emergency vehicle, there is no need to slow down or change lanes. Traffic should continue to flow as normal.
This rule applies to any official vehicle that has its flashing lights on – an ambulance, fire truck, or even the vehicles of conservation officers, motor vehicle inspectors and motor carrier inspectors.
If you are caught in a construction zone
The rules for driving in a construction zone can vary. Failure to comply with construction zone signage can come at a heavy cost. If you are caught speeding in a one of these zones you can be fined anywhere from approximately $350 to over $2,400! You will also likely get demerit points on your record.
Be attentive, and pay attention to the signs. These signs are put in place to protect your safety and the safety of construction workers. If a sign is up and not covered you should assume it still applies to you, even if it is not what you would consider ‘normal’ construction hours.