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Safety Programs 2023-02-27 2 min read
March 1st Alberta Traffic Changes
Changes to passing Emergency and other roadside vehicles
Traffic Safety Ammendment Act
Starting March 1, 2023, new rules for passing emergency vehicles will come into effect. These rules will also include passing road crews, tow trucks and snowplows when they are stopped with their lights flashing.
Currently, the law only required drivers in the lane directly adjacent to the roadside to slow down to 60km/h.
When the Traffic Safety Amendment Act takes effect this Wednesday, when a vehicle is stopped with its flashing lights operating, motorists will now be required to:
- slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, in all lanes traveling in the same direction on multi-lane highways; and
- slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, when traveling in either direction on single lane highways.
The Amendments to the Traffic Safety Act passed last spring.
It was described in a March 2022 press conference by then-Minister for Alberta Transportation, Rajan Sawhney as a means of bolstering protections and measures for roadside workers and first responders. This brings Alberta's traffic laws in line with other provinces, Sawhney pointed out.
The fines for speeding in these areas are doubled, and the current fines for passing an emergency vehicle on the side of the road can range from $136 to $826, depending on the speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Drivers must slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, when passing stopped emergency vehicles, road crews, tow trucks, or snowplows with flashing lights on multi-lane highways in the same direction and on single-lane highways in either direction.
Fines for speeding in designated zones near stopped emergency vehicles, road crews, tow trucks, and snowplows with flashing lights are doubled, ranging from $136 to $826 depending on the speed.
Employers can implement driver training, update safety programs, and use contractor prequalification to ensure compliance with Alberta’s traffic safety amendments. Fractional safety leadership and OHS consulting services can support these efforts.
Employers should consider hiring a safety consultant when they need expert help with safety program development, COR audit support, or managing WCB claims related to traffic incidents to maintain compliance and protect workers.
Written by
Safety Ahead Team
Alberta-based safety consultants with decades of field experience — COR auditors, OHS advisors, and WCB specialists working with employers across the province.
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