6

 


 

Second Session, 47th General Assembly

62 Elizabeth II, 2013

BILL 6

AN ACT TO AMEND THE HIGHWAY
TRAFFIC ACT

Received and Read the First Time...................................................................................................

Second Reading.................................................................................................................................

Committee............................................................................................................................................

Third Reading.....................................................................................................................................

Royal Assent......................................................................................................................................

HONOURABLE DAN CRUMMELL

Minister of Service Newfoundland and Labrador

Ordered to be printed by the Honourable House of Assembly

  

EXPLANATORY NOTES

This Bill would amend the Highway Traffic Act to

·         require drivers to reduce speed and move over when passing an emergency vehicle or designated vehicle that is stopped on or along a roadway; and

·         introduce associated penalties.

A BILL

AN ACT TO AMEND THE HIGHWAY
TRAFFIC ACT

Analysis


        1.   S.121.1 Added
Stopped emergency or designated vehicle

        2.   Sch. Amdt.

        3.   Commencement


Be it enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in Legislative Session convened, as follows:

RSNL1990 cH-3
as amended

        1. The Highway Traffic Act is amended by adding immediately after section 121 the following:

Stopped emergency or designated vehicle

121.1 (1) Upon approaching an emergency vehicle or a designated vehicle that is stopped in a lane or on the edge or along the shoulder of the roadway, the driver of a vehicle travelling in the same direction shall take the safety precautions set out in subsection (2).

             (2)  The driver shall

             (a)  reduce speed and, if necessary, stop;

             (b)  pass the emergency vehicle or designated vehicle only if it is safe to do so; and

             (c)  change lanes if there is another lane for travelling in the same direction, or otherwise place as much distance as possible in the same lane between his or her vehicle and the emergency vehicle or designated vehicle, only if it is safe to do so.

             (3)  The reference in subsection (1) to an emergency vehicle or designated vehicle is a reference to an emergency vehicle or designated vehicle that has flashing or rotational lights activated or other warning or safety signs or equipment in use.

             (4)  In this section, "designated vehicle" means

             (a)  a tow truck or other roadside assistance vehicle;

             (b)  a search and rescue vehicle;

             (c)  a public utility vehicle;

             (d)  a municipal, provincial or federal enforcement or service vehicle;

             (e)  a vehicle used by a volunteer fire fighter or emergency medical responder in the course of responding to an emergency; or

              (f)  a vehicle operated under the authority of a government emergency organization in the course of responding to an emergency.

 

        2. The Schedule to the Act is amended by adding immediately after the row starting with a reference to section 121 the following:

 

121.1

Failure to reduce speed and comply with section 121.1 when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or designated vehicle

900

300

30 days

6 days

Commencement

        3. This Act comes into force 3 months after the day on which it receives Royal Assent.