Most drivers in B.C. don’t know the law requires them to slow down when they see flashing amber lights, according to Road Safety at Work.
A survey conducted this year found 98 per cent of respondents knew the Slow Down, Move Over law applies to emergency vehicles, but only 30 per cent knew it also applies to tow trucks, maintenance vehicles and garbage trucks with flashing lights.
“Most drivers would never intentionally put a roadside worker at risk,” says Trace Acres, program director for Road Safety at Work. “The few seconds it takes to slow down and move over could save someone’s life. Watching for flashing amber lights should be as automatic as watching for flashing red and blue lights.”
WorkSafeBC statistics show 11 roadside workers were killed and 263 others were injured in B.C. between 2016 and 2025.
Road Safety at Work is reminding drivers that the law requires them to slow to 70 km/h when the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, and to 40 km/h when the speed limit is below 80 km/h, when approaching vehicles displaying flashing lights. Drivers must also move to the left when it is safe to do so.
