Officials with Clearwater County say new changes to the Traffic Safety Amendment Act will be introduced tomorrow.

Starting Mar 1, 2023 – Changes to the Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2022 (formerly Bill 5) will require motorists to slow down, when passing all roadside workers, when vehicle lights are flashing and they are stopped on the highway.

The Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2022 amends the Traffic Safety Act to:

• Extend safe passing protections for roadside workers to include snowplow operators and roadside maintenance teams.

Clarify that when a vehicle is stopped with flashing lights operating, motorists are required to:

• Slow down to 60km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, in all lanes traveling in the same direction on multi-lane highways; and

• Slow down to 60km/h or the posted limit, whichever is lower, when traveling in either direction on single lane highways.

Officials say this change gives snowplow operators and roadside maintenance teams the same legislated protection as first responders, tow truck operators and construction crews. Officials add, having consistent traffic rules for all roadside workers also reduces confusion for motorists and increases highway safety.

According to the Alberta Motor Association there were 128 collisions with highway snowplows between March 2018 and March 2021. AMA also reported 25 near misses and three serious collisions with their service vehicles between January 2018 and July 2019.

Officials say the act follows recommendations heard from the public and stakeholders during the roadside worker safety engagement held in spring 2021. To learn more, click here.