Calgary tow truck driver drives home importance of ‘slow down, move over’

Many Calgarians witnessed an annual event Thursday night where a high number of emergency and service vehicles parked along a stretch of Deerfoot Trail with their lights flashing.

The annual “slow down, move over” event took place between 7 and 8 p.m. in the north and southbound lanes of Deerfoot near Glenmore Trail SE. The event aims to remind drivers to slow down and move over whenever there is a tow truck or emergency vehicle helping someone on the road.

Phil has been a tow-truck driver for eight years, but there was one moment six years ago he says he will never forget.

“Something in my gut told me to look behind me, and I poked my head out and there was a car coming, flying right at me,” he says. “I jumped right out of the way at the very last second and it would have killed me.”

Dramatic stories like Phil’s and a dramatic show of unity Thursday evening from emergency responders and tow truck drivers as they align themselves along Deerfoot Trail to remind motorists of the hazards they face as roadside workers.

The slow down, move over message applies when an emergency vehicle, tow truck, or road service vehicle, including a snowplough, is stopped with flashing lights activated. Drivers are required to slow down to 60 km/h, or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, in the adjacent lane.

For one local dispatcher dispatcher, having drivers remember to do this is key.

“It’s scary every day, every time someone says….we’re on the side of Deerfoot I need someone to come pick me up right now, my stomach turns,” says Skyler, dispatcher with AAA Towing.

Phil has a message for those who disregard the speed when passing roadside responders.

“Come on man, I’m just trying to get home at the end of the day.”

Fines for speeding while passing an emergency vehicle or road service vehicle while stopped with the flashing lights activated are doubled, and can range from $136 to $991.

A mandatory court appearance is required for any motorist travelling more than 50km/h over the speed limit.