Alberta’s government is strengthening the rules to help protect all roadside workers.

Keeping all Albertans – workers and drivers – safe on the road is a priority. Alberta has been one of only two provinces without move over legislation, but Alberta’s government has changed that.

To increase safety for all roadside workers, starting Sept. 1, drivers in the lane closest to any roadside worker vehicle stopped at the side of the road with its lights flashing must slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower. Drivers must also move over to the far lane if it’s safe to do so and take reasonable steps to allow other drivers to move over as well.

Currently, only tow truck drivers and first responders are protected under the Traffic Safety Act, but now all roadside workers stopped on the side of the road, with their flashing lights activated, will be covered by these protections.

“This is a common-sense rule change. If you see any flashing lights and people working on the side of the road, slow down to 60 km/h or move over to make an open lane beside them. We want to protect our police, paramedics, maintenance workers and tow truck drivers so they can get home safely at the end of the day. These people proudly serve Alberta, and we want to make sure we look out for them.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

The new roadside worker safety rules will apply to all roadside workers, including first responders, tow truck operators, highway maintenance workers and snowplow operators.

“Worker safety is the top priority of our highway maintenance contractor member companies. While we provide training to employees so they can work safely around traffic, we rely on drivers to do their part to slow and make space for workers and machinery. ARHCA thanks all members of the legislature who supported Bill 5 for their concern for our employees’ lives.”

Ronald Glen, CEO, Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association

Slowing down and moving over for all roadside workers will keep everyone safe and ensure traffic continues to flow efficiently. To help enforce these changes, fines and demerits will be applied for unsafe behaviours when passing roadside workers and snowplows.

“The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) is committed to road safety for all Albertans. This initiative of Transportation and Economic Corridors is another step towards enhancing these goals. We look forward to working with the ministry and other partners to further the work of keeping Albertans safe on our roadways.”

Leticia Aplin, executive director, Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police

“These new measures will undoubtedly protect our highway maintenance and snowplow crews. Slowing down when passing roadside workers will be a minor impact on drivers that has a tremendous effect on the safety of our workforce. No matter the season, our crews strive to get the travelling public home safely, and these changes ensure our crews will get home safely too.”

Fred Desjarlais, president and CEO, Volker Stevin Canada

Quick facts

• According to Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), there were 2,229 injuries involving workers being struck by a vehicle between 2014 and 2018.

• Between March 2018 and March 2021, there were approximately 130 collisions involving snowplows contracted by Transportation and Economic Corridors.

• During the winter of 2022-23, there were 37 collisions involving a government-contracted snowplow.

• Failure to comply with these rules can result in a fine and three demerit points:

  • $243 and three demerit points for failing to slow down to the maximum speed limit when passing stopped roadside workers.

  • $243 fine and three demerit points for failing to allow other drivers to move into a traffic lane farther from a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside work vehicle.

  • A fine of $324 and three demerit points for unsafe passing of snowplows.