Watch: 'Inches away from being a terrible tragedy'

Mounties are once again reminding motorists about slowing down on the road, especially in the vicinity of emergency vehicles; this after a Mountie with the Alberta RCMP Traffic High River division was involved in a collision earlier this week.

On April 29, before noon, the police officer had pulled over a vehicle on Highway 2, near Highway 540. The officer had their emergency lights activated and was behind the pulled-over vehicle in an unmarked police vehicle.

Mounties are once again reminding motorists about slowing down on the road, especially in the vicinity of emergency vehicles; this after a Mountie with the Alberta RCMP Traffic High River division was involved in a collision earlier this week. (Photo provided by RCMP)

"At the time of the traffic stop, roads were dry and clear and visibility was excellent. The officer was in his police vehicle preparing a ticket when a passing Ford F-350, which did not move over or slow down, struck the police vehicle with its passenger side mirror," police said.

The officer immediately checked on the driver of the pulled-over vehicle and the driver of the vehicle that hit the police vehicle. There were no injuries.

"The driver of the Ford F-350 indicated that he did not see the police vehicle or the emergency lights."

Sgt. Darrin Turnbull with Alberta RCMP Traffic stated that the officer was lucky as this was, 'inches away from being a terrible tragedy.'

"Drivers need to pay attention while they are driving and follow the law when passing any stopped roadside vehicle with lights activated.”

Legislation enacted in September 2023 states that when motorists are 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; they must move over to the far lane to give workers extra space.

"If you can’t safely move over, you must slow down to at least 60 km/h, or the posted speed limit (whichever is lower)."

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

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