Frequently Asked Questions
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New legislation now makes it safer for police officers, firefighters, ambulance workers, tow truck operators and construction workers on Alberta roads.

Did you know…

• Construction or maintenance zones will have roadway signs in advance to warn motorists that road work is being done.
• Flashing lights from emergency response vehicles will warn motorists of a problem ahead.
• When approaching an emergency or a construction/maintenance situation exercise caution and slow down.
• Always be aware that vehicles ahead of you may stop unexpectedly.
• Obey directions by flag people or emergency workers.
• Avoid watching the emergency, keep focused on driving.
• Always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and other people and equipment parked or being operated at these locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

New laws for safely passing stopped Emergency Vehicles and Tow Trucks with lights on and when workers are present in a Construction or Maintenance Zone.

1. Why is this law being introduced?
2. Is this law part of the Traffic Safety Act?
3. What are the details of the new law for passing emergency vehicles and tow trucks?
4. What is an emergency vehicle?
5. Why are Tow trucks included in the law?
6. Multi Lanes: What if I can safely move away from the emergency vehicles or tow truck?
7. What are the details of the new law for construction zones?
8. In a construction zone what does it mean, “where workers are present?”
9. How will I know where in the construction/maintenance zone the fine will be doubled?
10. What if there are no signs to indicate speed fines double?
11. When will work area ‘Speed Fines Double’ and ‘Begins’ signs be used?
12. Can I be charged if the ‘Speed Fines Double’ and ‘Begins’ signs are present but no workers are visible?
13. Will the work area ‘Speed Fines Double’ and ‘Begins’ signs be covered or removed when workers are not present?
14. What are the penalties if I get convicted of speeding under the new law? 
15. What will some of the fines be if they are doubled?
16. Why weren’t the demerits doubled for these offences?
17. If I get a photoradar ticket under this legislation is the fine doubled?
18. Will double fines for speeding apply when motorists are passing snowplows or graders?
19. Why are the signs to reduce speed located so many kilometres before you get to a construction zone?
20. Why should I slow down for construction zones when there is no work being done?
21. Does this new law apply to traffic going in the opposite direction to the stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck?

A number of people have been killed or injured working on or adjacent to the roadway.  This new law will make it safer for police officers, firefighters, ambulance workers, tow truck drivers and construction workers who work on or near Alberta’s busy roadways.

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Yes. Section 115(2)(p.1) and (p.2) and 115(2)(t)

Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2005

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Effective October 31, 2005, motorists must slow to 60km/h or less if the posted speed is lower when passing stopped emergency vehicles or tow trucks on the same side of the highway with their flashing lights in operation.

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A police vehicle, ambulance vehicle, fire-fighting vehicle, a vehicle used by a gas disconnection unit of a public utility or a designated emergency response unit. 

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It is very important to protect tow truck drivers.  They regularly assist with emergencies that require them to work on or near the roadway assisting motorists.  It is important to protect these workers.

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If there are two or more traffic lanes in the same direction as the emergency vehicle or tow truck, you need only decrease your speed in the lane immediately beside the stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck that has its flashing lights on.  No matter where you are driving please proceed with caution.

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Effective October 31, 2005, in construction zones, motorists must observe the posted speed. When workers are present fines for speeding in these areas will be doubled.   

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This is where workers are on or near the road and are operating heavy equipment, acting as flag persons, and working with hand tools on the ground, etc.  Be cautious, workers could also be hidden behind equipment, materials, etc.

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In most situations road signs that indicate ‘Speed Fines Double’ and ‘Begins’ will be mounted below the Maximum Speed  (RB-1) sign that establishes the maximum allowable speed in the work area.  The double fine area will end at the Maximum Speed sign, which reinstates the normal speed limit.

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Not all double the fine areas will have signs.  Motorists will need to be observant and watch if workers are present.  Whenever possible road signs will be used to show when speed fines double, as well as the start of the double the fine area.

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‘Speed Fines Double’ and ‘Begins’ signs will be used to mark the beginning of double fine areas in high-speed situations where speeds are more than 70 km/h.  Double fines in lower speed areas such as urban areas, may not have the ‘Speed Fines Double’ and ‘Begins’ signs.  Work zones set up for longer times will use double the fine area signs.  Locations where the work will be just short-term may not use the signs.   You as a driver must watch for workers present on, near or adjacent to the road.

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Yes.  The signs will be posted when it is expected that workers will be present.  It is very important that motorists obey the construction/maintenance work area signs because workers could be on site but not visible to approaching vehicles.

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Yes they will be covered.  However, there may still be dangers to motorists travelling through the area, and they must obey all warning and speed limit signs.

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Drivers convicted of violating section 115(2)(p.2) or 115(2) (t) of the Traffic Safety Act will be subject to double the fine. Demerit points will also be applied to the driver’s record if convicted but will not be doubled.

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16. Why weren’t the demerits doubled for these offences?

There are no offences under the Traffic Safety Act  that double demerits and thus it was not considered as part of these changes. 

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17. If I get a photoradar ticket under this legislation is the fine doubled?

 Yes

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While these are considered highway maintenance vehicles, double fines will apply only if they are operating in work areas identified by construction zone signage. 

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19. Why are the signs to reduce speed located so many kilometres before you get to a construction zone?

Posting speed reduction signs through construction zones is at the discretion of the construction contractor and project engineer. Signs often are placed several kilometres in front of the actual construction zone to allow larger vehicles more time to slow down. The location of signs also depends on the type of construction activity.

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20. Why should I slow down for construction zones when there is no work being done?

Even if it seems there is no activity in a construction zone, there may be other less obvious hazards such as loose gravel chips and uneven pavement that can be dangerous and cause damage to vehicles traveling at high speeds. Alberta Transportation urges motorists to obey all signs and slow down when going through construction zones.

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21. Does this new law apply to traffic going in the opposite direction to the stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck?

No. The law only applies to traffic on the same side of the highway as the stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck.

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