Slow Down, Move Over for Stopped Tow Trucks with Flashing Lights.
Protecting Manitoba’s tow truck drivers.
Every year, tow truck drivers are injured or killed by passing vehicles. CAA believes that these essential service workers have the right to safe working conditions. CAA has been the leading advocate in Canada to ensure that Slow Down, Move Over (SDMO) laws are enacted and include tow trucks, along with police, ambulance and fire.
Compared to other emergency responders, the towing and recovery industry had the highest odds of experiencing a struck-by-vehicle incident.
– AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2023
CAA Members move over most consistently for police (95%), ambulances (92%), and fire trucks (89%), but do so less consistently for tow trucks (80%)
– CAA SDMO Member Panel Survey, 2026
Nearly 1 in 2 non-compliant CAA Members didn't realize they were required to slow down and move over for tow trucks.
– CAA SDMO Member Panel Survey, 2026
Slow Down, Move Over Legislation
When a tow truck is stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing, the Highway Traffic Act requires drivers to slow down and move over one lane on multi-lane roads, if it is safe to do so. Drivers must slow down to 60 km/h in 80 km/h or higher speed zones, or 40 km/h if the speed limit is less than 80 km/h.
- Penalties include a fine of $300 and two demerit points upon conviction.
- Penalties may also include fines of up to $2,000 and a one-year driver's licence suspension issued by a judge.