The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding motorists to slow down or move over for emergency vehicles on major roadways.

The reminder was issued following a recent serious collision involving a motorist and an OPP cruiser earlier this month when an OPP cruiser was struck while stopped on a highway with emergency lights activated. Officers were conducting traffic control to protect the scene of an unrelated collision and ensure the safety of first responders and the motoring public.

In this incident, a vehicle travelling at highway speed struck the stationary police cruiser. An OPP officer was transported to a regional trauma centre with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Ontario’s Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and, when it is safe to do so, move into another lane when approaching emergency vehicles or tow trucks with flashing lights.

Drivers who fail to comply can face significant fines and penalties, but more importantly, they are putting lives at risk.

« This incident is a reminder that officers, tow operators, and other emergency responders are working just feet away from live traffic. » said Staff Sergeant Julie Anne De Groot with the OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement Team. « We need drivers to pay attention, slow down, and move over so everyone gets home safely. »