What's New - Sheehan & Rosie Ltd.

What's New

Holiday Hours Thursday December 24, Closed at noon Friday December 25, Closed Saturday December 26, Closed Monday December 28, Closed Thursday December 31, Closed at 1:00pm Friday January 1, Closed Saturday January 2, Closed We will reopen on January 4, 2010 Wishing you a happy and healthy Holiday Season from all the staff at Sheehan & Rosie
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Highway Traffic Act amendment will protect police officers, firefighters and emergency personnel TORONTO, April 3 /CNW/ - Bill 191, an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act, was proclaimed today, Bob Runciman, Minister of Public Safety and Security, announced. The legislation - Bill 191, Highway Traffic Act Amendment Act (Emergency Vehicle Safety), 2002 - will protect police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel whose vehicles are stopped on the shoulder of the province's roadways with red lights flashing. Motorists will have to slow down and, where possible and safe to do so, move to a lane not adjacent to the one in which the emergency vehicle is situated. "By forcing drivers to slow down and move over, we are protecting those who protect us," Runciman said. "We all benefit when these dedicated workers are able to do their job efficiently and without having to worry about their personal safety. They understand what they do is dangerous, but there is no need to subject them to additional risk." "This government is delivering on its commitment to give police officers, firefighters and paramedics the tools they need to do their vital jobs," Transportation Minister Frank Klees said. "We continue to work to keep our communities safe, with legislation that protects those who protect us." "The personal safety of our officers is at risk when dealing with roadside emergencies, issuing speeding tickets or providing assistance to motorists," Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Gwen Boniface said. "This new legislation will be instrumental in protecting Ontario Provincial Police officers and our roadside emergency partners as they endeavour to keep our roadways safe for the motoring public." The legislation will apply to all stopped vehicles, excluding school buses, with flashing red lights. Section 62 (15.1) of the Highway Traffic Act authorizes ambulance, fire, police and public utility emergency vehicles and ministries of transportation, natural resources and environment to use red lights. "Many motorists don't recognize the high risk front-line police officers can face during routine traffic stops," Brian Adkin, president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, said. "We don't necessarily think of pulling off to the side of the highway to issue a speeding ticket or to investigate an accident as a dangerous part of an officer's job. This legislation is critical to our members' safety. It speaks to the commitment that the government has for front-line emergency personnel." Those convicted of disobeying the law can expect to be dealt with severely. For the first offence, the fine will be not less than $400 and not more than $2,000. For second and subsequent convictions, the fine is a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $4,000, six months in jail or both a fine and jail sentence. All convictions will result in the addition of three demerit points to a driver's record. The court can also suspend a motorist's driver's licence for up to two years. "We have lost four officers in Ontario in recent years when they or their vehicles have been stopped at the side of the road," Bruce Miller, the administrator of the Police Association of Ontario (PAO), said. "This new legislation will help to protect both front-line police officers and the citizens they serve. We believe that it will go a long way to help prevent further tragedies." The PAO represents 22,000 front-line police personnel. "Firefighters are frequently the first to arrive at the scene of incidents on highways," Milt Wilson, president of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, said. "This legislation will give our workers added protection, especially before police arrive to direct traffic. I am pleased the government is taking this step to protect firefighters and everyone else that responds to incidents on the highways." Saskatchewan is the only other Canadian province to have similar legislation. A number of American states also have some type of emergency safety vehicle legislation. Disponible en français For more information visit www.mpss.jus.gov.on.ca Backgrounder ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ministry of Public Safety and Security April 2003 IMPROVING EMERGENCY WORKERS' SAFETY ON THE SIDE OF THE PROVINCE'S HIGHWAYS Enforcing the law and providing roadside assistance is inherently dangerous for police, fire and other emergency workers. Emergency personnel stopped for an incident at the side of the road are sometimes in danger. Frequently, they are placed in close proximity to vehicles travelling at extremely high rates of speed. Since 1995, several members of the Ontario Provincial Police have been killed as a direct result of a motor vehicle collision when their cruisers were parked on the shoulder of the road. In the United States, some 200 police officers have lost their lives in a similar fashion. A number of U.S. states have introduced legislation requiring drivers to change lanes and reduce speed when approaching an authorized vehicle. Saskatchewan also has enacted similar legislation. The legislation, which received Royal Assent in December 2002 and was proclaimed April 3, 2003, is designed to increase the safety of police and other emergency personnel and deter those driving recklessly. A number of U.S. states also have legislation in place requiring drivers to yield the right of way to approaching emergency vehicles. Ontario's law: - Requires drivers to slow down, and proceed with caution when travelling on all highways in the same direction as a stopped emergency vehicle with its red lights flashing. If the highway has two or more lanes, the driver must move over into another lane if it can be done safely. - In all circumstances drivers must take into consideration traffic and weather conditions when taking the appropriate action when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its red lights activated. - A person who contravenes these requirements will be guilty of an offence punishable, for a first offence, by a fine of $400 to $2,000 and for subsequent offences by a fine of $1,000 to $4,000, or to imprisonment for a maximum of six months, or to both a fine and imprisonment. All convictions will result in the addition of three demerit points to a driver's record. The court that convicts a person of an offence may also suspend his or her driver's licence for a maximum of two years. Disponible en français For more information visit www.mpss.jus.gov.on.ca -30- For further information: Contacts: Bruce O'Neill, Ministry of Public Safety and Security, (416) 326-5005; James Wallace, Minister's Office, (416) 325-5982