Throughout the Province RCMP will be launching a traffic safety blitz to keep emergency responders, police, and tow truck drivers safe on our highways.

RCMP will be cracking down on drivers who fail to slow down to 60 km per hour when passing emergency vehicles in many parts of the province this week,  the law requires drivers to slow down when lights are flashing on vehicles.

Traffic fines for failing to slow down start at $210 and increase depending on the speed at which the driver passes.

While the safety blitz will last during the week of June 20th, the reminder to slow down is something that is required all year around.

West Central Online spoke to Kindersley RCMP Constable Dan Earle about what the RCMP requires on our roads.

"We're asking drivers in both directions to slow down to 60, it's not just one direction, doesn't matter which way you are coming.  You do need to slow down to 60 and it's definitely best if you can move over and give us a little bit of space."

For emergency responders being on the side of the road is very much a big part of the job and too often close calls happen.  For Constable Earle slowing down to 60 and staying alert can make a huge difference.

"A lot of times passing motorists aren't the first things on our minds when we are out there, so it's best that the people operating those vehicles are 100% alert.  We do get a lot of vehicles going by at 100 or even slightly faster, and that is way faster when you're standing out there on the highway, then what it feels like when you are sitting in a vehicle."

Saskatchewan Government Insurance also reminds motorists of safe highway driving with a few tips.

  • Emergency vehicles always have the right of way when displaying flashing lights and sounding sirens
  • If your vehicle is approached by an emergency vehicle with its lights or siren activated, you are required to move as close as possible to the right side of the road (or choose the nearest curb when driving on a one-way street). You should not enter the next intersection until after the emergency vehicle has passed through. The only exception to this is if a peace officer gives you other directions.
  • Along with slowing down to 60 for emergency responders, motorists must slow down to 60 km/h when in constructions zones, when passing a worker, flags-person or equipment occupied by a worker.
  • You must also slow to 60 km/h when passing Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure equipment (including snow plows), whether parked or in motion, when the warning lights are on.