Protecting roadside workers

Overview

Bill 5, the Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2022, would strengthen roadway safety measures to better protect all first responders and roadside workers on Alberta’s highways.

If passed, Bill 5 will require motorists to slow down, where possible, when passing all roadside workers, including snowplows and maintenance teams, when vehicle lights are flashing and they are stopped on the highway.

This change would give snowplow operators and roadside maintenance teams the same legislated protection as first responders, tow truck operators and construction crews. Having consistent traffic rules for all roadside workers would also reduce confusion for motorists and increase highway safety. There were 128 collisions with highway snowplows between March 2018 and March 2021. Alberta Motor Association also reported 25 near misses and 3 serious collisions with their service vehicles between January 2018 and July 2019.

The proposed legislation follows recommendations heard from the public and stakeholders during the roadside worker safety engagement held in spring 2021.

Key changes

If passed, Bill 5 will update the Traffic Safety Act to:

• include new protections for snowplow operators and roadside maintenance teams
• clarify that when a vehicle is stopped with its flashing lights operating, motorists are required to:
  • slow down to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, in all lanes traveling in the same direction, and lanes traveling in the opposite direction on a single lane highway

Next steps

If passed, Bill 5 will take effect on proclamation

News

• Improving safety for roadside workers (March 16, 2022)