Ontario's Tow Safety Week aims to protect truck drivers

In an effort to improve safety, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) and the Provincial Towing Association (Ontario) are reminding drivers to make space for tow trucks stopped on the shoulder of the highway providing service.
The reminder comes ahead of the one-year anniversary of changes to the province's Slow Down, Move Over law, and coincides with the launch of Tow Safety Week. CAA clubs in Ontario have actively advocated since 2010 for tow trucks to be included alongside fire, ambulance and police services. In 2015, the move over law was amended to include tow trucks parked on the roadside with their amber lights flashing.

"At CAA, we believe everyone deserves a safe place to work, even at the side of the road. Ontario's roads and highways are the workplace for emergency service providers and tow truck drivers, and they are often left with little room to work. Many times, they are inches or feet away from traffic travelling at high speeds," said Cindy Hillaby, vice-president membership and automotive services, CAA SCO.

Last year, the Ontario Provincial Police laid a total of 2,031 charges under Ontario's move over law. The law includes a fine range of $400 to $2,000 and three demerit points.