Drivers cruising along the Barnet Highway (7A) this past weekend may have noticed a police team alerting others of their speeds on the outskirts of Port Moody.
You may have also seen one particular commuter that was issued a ticket for speeding nearly 30 km/h over the posted limit.
They clocked at 107 km/h in the 80 zone just beyond the Port Moody–Burnaby border, resulting in a $138 ticket and three points against their license.
The violation was one of 24 handed out on Saturday (April 30) as Port Moody police (PMPD), Burnaby RCMP and Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP) took part in BCAA's Slow Down, Move Over campaign — most of which were for speeding.
The province-wide initiative served as a reminder to all drivers to reduce speed when a vehicle is seen pulled over to the side of the road with flashing red, blue or yellow lights.
Provincial law states motorists must slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped alongside the road, including maintenance workers, utility workers, police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement personnel, land surveyors, animal control workers, garbage collectors and other roadside workers.
The speeds are as follows:
- 70 km/h when in an 80 km/h or over zone
- 40 km/h when in an under 80 km/h zone
"If travelling on a multi-lane road, drivers must move into another lane to pass when passing stopped vehicles with a flashing light, where safe to do so," the provincial government's website adds.
"This provides roadside workers and emergency personnel with greater protection from accident and injury."
According to Const. Kevin Connolly, a tow truck with its flashing lights on was used to conduct the Barnet Highway enforcement between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
"This is unfortunately not surprising, as our officers see this kind of driving behaviour on a regular basis while operating on the roadway," the Burnaby RCMP Traffic Unit member explained.
A total of 63 vehicles were stopped by Connolly's team, but he adds many more were seen speeding by.
"Road safety is everyone's responsibility. By not respecting the law, drivers are creating added risk for everyone who works on the roadway. Take a few extra seconds in your day to slow down and move over, and do your part in ensuring road safety for everyone."
BCAA's campaign occurred three days after a three-vehicle collision caused heavy congestion on Highway 1 through Coquitlam.
One person was sent to hospital while another person received a violation ticket for driving without due care under Section 144.1(a) of the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act.
BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) said the lead commuter was braking for the traffic ahead, but two trailing drivers were too close and rear-ended them as a result.
Crews were forced to close three lanes — including the HOV — while responding to the crash, and a pair of tow trucks were deployed to haul two of the vehicles off the road.
