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Part of Road rules and safe driving

Roadside worker safety

Help protect roadside workers on busy Alberta roadways.

Roadside worker safety rules

When driving in the closest lane to any stopped roadside vehicle with flashing lights activated, such as police, ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks and maintenance trucks, including those in construction zones:

  • you must move over to the far lane to give workers extra space
  • if you can’t safely move over, you must slow to at least 60 km/h, or the posted speed limit (whichever is lower)
Picture example of rule for passing roadside workers on a single lane road.
Actions to take on a single-lane highway.
Picture example of rule for passing roadside workers on a double lane road.
Actions to take on a multi-lane highway.

Passing fines

Roadside vehicles with flashing lights activated

Drivers who fail to comply with the roadside worker safety rules could receive a $243 fine and 3 demerits, plus a speed fine.

Snowplows

Go to Driving safely around snowplows to learn about the new rules for passing snowplows and fines.

Speed fines

Speed fines are doubled when construction workers or any stopped roadside vehicle with flashing lights activated are present.

SpeedDemerit pointsRegular fineDoubled fine
1 to 15 km over2$81 to $126$163 to $252
16 to 30 km over3$146 to $249$292 to $499
31 to 50 km over4$264 to $495$528 to $991
Over 51 km over6Mandatory Court appearance.
Fines are at the discretion of the Court.

Driving reminders

  • Construction or maintenance zones will have roadway signs in advance to warn motorists that road work is being done. Even if there are no signs reminding motorists that fines will be doubled, your fine could be doubled if workers are present.
  • Flashing lights from emergency response vehicles and other roadside workers will warn you of a problem ahead.
  • When approaching an emergency or a construction/maintenance situation, use caution and slow down.
  • Move over to the far lane whenever possible.
  • Always be aware that vehicles ahead of you may stop suddenly.
  • Obey directions by flag people or emergency workers.
  • Avoid watching the emergency and keep focused on driving.
  • Always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and other people and equipment parked or being operated at these locations.

Plan ahead

Visit 511 Alberta for up-to-date road information, including traffic delays and road construction.

Resources

Legislation

The regulatory changes introduced in September 2023 strengthen safety measures to better protect all first responders and roadside workers on Alberta’s highways. The new rules require motorists to slow down to 60 km/hour or the posted speed limit (whichever is lower) when passing stopped vehicles with flashing lights. 

  • The new safety rules give snowplow operators and roadside maintenance teams the same protection as first responders, tow truck operators, and construction crews.
  • There regulatory changes stemmed from recommendations heard from the public and stakeholders during the roadside worker safety engagement held in spring 2021.
     

News