This damaged, black Chevrolet police SUV had its emergency lights on at roadside when it was hit by a driver who failed to Slow Down and Move Over
Drivers in the Central Interior are once again leading the province in violations of B.C.’s “Slow Down and Move Over” law, with new enforcement data showing the region accounted for roughly two-thirds of all tickets issued during a province-wide safety campaign in April.
Across British Columbia, 999 drivers were ticketed during the month-long enforcement blitz, according to BC Highway Patrol. But the numbers tell a far more concentrated story in the Interior: 619 of those tickets were issued in Central B.C., which includes Kamloops, Merritt, Kelowna, Clearwater and surrounding highway corridors.
That means drivers in the region were responsible for more violations than the rest of the province combined.
Corporal Michael McLaughlin, media relations officer with BC Highway Patrol, said the pattern in the Central Interior is not new — but it remains concerning.
“Central BC definitely has an issue,” McLaughlin said in an interview. “Roughly two-thirds of the tickets for the entire province were issued in Central BC.”
He added that while enforcement activity was strong in the region during the April campaign, the numbers also point to an ongoing behaviour problem among drivers travelling Interior highways.
“Even in our prior campaigns, which weren’t province-wide, we did see high numbers in Central BC,” he said. “Something about the wide open spaces — we enjoy our big highways in Central BC — but we need to do a better job of giving highways and emergency responders room.”
Law meant to protect roadside workers
B.C.’s “Slow Down and Move Over” law requires drivers to reduce speed and change lanes away from stopped vehicles with flashing red, blue or amber lights, including police, tow trucks, ambulances and highway maintenance crews.
The rule is often summarized as the “70/40 rule”:
- Slow to 70 km/h or less when the posted limit is 80 km/h or higher
- Slow to 40 km/h or less when the posted limit is under 80 km/h
McLaughlin said confusion still exists, but the expectation is straightforward.
“Now it’s a law — you must slow down, move over, or get a ticket, or even worse,” he said. “This is all about keeping those highways safe.”
Interior highways under scrutiny
While every region saw some level of violations, the Central Interior stood out sharply:
- Central B.C.: 619 tickets
- Kootenay region: 197
- Northern B.C.: 85
- South Coast (including Metro Vancouver): 59
- Vancouver Island: 39
McLaughlin said the disparity is especially important because Interior highways are among the busiest routes for commercial traffic, emergency response, and roadside work.
“We need to do a better job of giving highways and emergency responders room so that we slow down and move over and keep it safe for them,” he said.
A heavily damaged white Audi that is about to be towed away. A damaged red Toyota pickup and a black Chevrolet police SUV are in the background
Crashes highlight real-world danger
Police say the enforcement numbers reflect a risk that can quickly turn into serious collisions.
On April 28, a white Audi hatchback failed to slow down and move over and struck both a police SUV and a Toyota pickup at the Cape Horn Interchange in Coquitlam. The unmarked police vehicle had its emergency lights activated while assisting a traffic stop.
No serious injuries were reported, but all three vehicles were significantly damaged and had to be towed. The driver was fined under the Motor Vehicle Act for driving without due care and attention.
In a separate case, a Calgary truck driver was sentenced for dangerous driving after a 2023 collision in Field that destroyed a tow truck and a Mercedes-Benz.
“It’s not just a ticket — it’s safety”
McLaughlin said fines start at $173 and can increase depending on the severity of the offence, but the focus of enforcement is preventing tragedies.
“At the very least, if you fail to slow down, move over, you’re looking at a $173 ticket plus points,” he said. “But it goes up from there. Ultimately what we’re trying to stop are those terrible collisions — serious injury or even death.”
He said the responsibility extends beyond police vehicles.
“This isn’t just a police thing,” McLaughlin said. “Tow trucks, ambulances, highway maintenance — any flashing lights. You’ve got to give them space.”
Warning ahead of summer travel
Although the April campaign has ended, BC Highway Patrol says enforcement will continue through the busy summer construction season, when Interior highways typically see increased roadside activity.
For Central Interior drivers in particular, McLaughlin says the message remains unchanged — and urgent.
“This pattern needs to change,” he said. “We don’t want the tickets. We just need drivers to slow down, move over to the safest lane, and give those workers the space they need.”
