Media Advisory - Slow Down, Move Over

Описание: Who: Members of the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section, Emergency Health Services (EHS), the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) and other roadside assistance partners.

When: The media availability will take place today, March 5, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Where: The Calgary Police Service North Service Centre, located at 6528 11 St. N.E.

Photo Opportunity: Media are also invited to photograph the roadside emergency vehicles, which will be parked alongside 16 Avenue N.E., between Barlow Trail and 36 Street N.E., from 7-8 p.m. Media are asked to park in FRONT of the line of roadside vehicles, rather than rear, to ensure visibility for motorists. Interviews will not be available at this time.


Slow Down, Move Over




On the evening of Thursday, March 5, 2026, ambulances, tow trucks, fire engines, peace officers, maintenance vehicles and police vehicles will be parked beside one of Calgary’s busiest roads to remind drivers they need to slow down and move over.

These vehicles will activate their flashing lights and park near the ramps in both directions of 16 Avenue N.E., between 36 Street and Barlow Trail N.E., to bring attention to the importance of slowing down on roadways where emergency personnel are doing their jobs.

It is critical that drivers recognize the danger present to workers tending to emergencies and other work on the side of the road.

When an emergency vehicle, tow truck, or maintenance vehicle, including a snowplow, is stopped with flashing lights activated, motorists are required to slow down and move over to another lane whenever possible. Penalties for failing to slow to 60 km/h, or the posted speed limit if lower, in the lane adjacent to an emergency vehicle can result in a $243 fine and three demerits. Moving to another lane when safe to do so is always best practice.

Fines for speeding while passing an emergency vehicle or road service vehicle while stopped on the side of the road with the flashing lights activated are doubled and can range from $163 to $991. A mandatory court appearance is required for any motorist travelling 51km/h or more over the speed limit.

“Keeping Calgary’s roadways safe is everyone’s responsibility,” says Sgt. Brad Norman of the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section. “Emergency workers need to be able to do their jobs safely – and that means motorists need to slow down and move over.”

“The John Petropoulos Memorial Fund exists because we know all too well what it is like when a loved one never comes home again because of an injury that was preventable,” says Cliff O’Brien, chair of the JPMF. “ We need drivers to slow down and give first responders room to work; they don’t dictate where the emergencies occur. We want everyone to make it home safely to their families.”