The importance of the safety corridor

Feb 7, 2024

The Edmundston Police Force is asking motorists to be alert and to respect the safety corridor. The province of NB adopted a law in January of 2013, which requires motorists to slow down and respect the safety corridor when a priority vehicle with its flashing lights activated is stopped on the side of a road. Priority vehicles are police cars, fire trucks and ambulances. Since January 1st 2021, the same legislation applies to service vehicles including tow trucks, private or public service vehicles, road maintenance or road safety vehicles. If other vehicles are preventing a motorist from respecting the safety corridor, the latter must slow down to carefully pass the people working along the side of the road.

By moving over, a motorist is creating a safe space for first responders and other workers to carry out their work while on the shoulder of the road or highway. Unfortunately, many drivers not abiding by the law are still passing too close to first responders and other workers at high rates of speed. However, a motorist who does not reduce his speed and who does not respect the safety corridor for an emergency or service vehicle is liable to a fine of $292.50 and three demerit points. Emergency vehicles (police, ambulance, fire) whose flashing lights and siren are activated always have the right of way.

When an emergency or a service vehicule has stopped on the side of the road, drivers MUST:

- reduce their speed to half the posted speed limit and continue their journey with caution

- ensure that they can proceed safely, then move to the left to move away from the immobilized vehicle

- change lanes, if the road has more than one lane, provided that the maneuver can be carried out in complete safety

These measures eliminate the risk of colliding with an authorized emergency vehicle or endangering a person near one of these vehicles. Emergency responders work hard to ensure the safety of the population. It is therefore essential to ensure that they too can carry out their work safely.

The City of Edmundston Police Force is asking for the cooperation of motorists to protect first responders and workers on duty.

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CONTACT: City of Edmundston Police Force, 506.739.2100