The Move Over Law also applies in Montreal

The new article 406.1 of the Code de la sécurité routière in force since August 5 2012, prompts drivers to create a buffer lane by slowing down, then moving away from an emergency vehicle stopped on the road or on the shoulder.This Move Over Law also applies to urban areas and therefore, on Montreal streets.

How to Properly Execute the Manoeuvres

General rule: Create a buffer lane by slowing down, then putting as much distance as possible between you and the stopped vehicle, after making sure that you can do so safely. If needed, stop your vehicle to avoid endangering human life or safety.

More specifically, here are the correct manoeuvres to execute depending on the situation:

Intervention on the shoulder

Manoeuvre 1:

When a vehicle is stopped on the shoulder with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and putting as much distance as possible between you and the vehicle, while remaining in the same lane.

Manoeuvre 2:

When a vehicle is stopped on the shoulder with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and changing lanes after making sure it can be done safely.

Manoeuvre 3:

When a vehicle is stopped on the shoulder with its flashing or rotating lights activated , you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and, if a lane change is impossible because it cannot be done safely, by putting as much distance as possible between you and the stopped vehicle, while remaining in the lane in which you are travelling.

Intervention in a traffic lane

Manoeuvre 4:

When a vehicle is stopped in a traffic lane with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and changing lanes after making sure that it can be done safely. If necessary, stop to yield the right of way to vehicles travelling in the opposite direction first.

Manoeuvre 5:

When a vehicle is stopped in the lane in which you are travelling, with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down and, if necessary, stopping. Then, change lanes after making sure that it can be done safely .

Manoeuvre 6:

When a vehicle is stopped in the lane contiguous to the lane in which you are travelling, with its flashing or rotating lights activated, you must respect the Move Over law by slowing down, then putting as much distance as possible between you and the stopped vehicle while remaining in the lane in which you are travelling.

For more details concerning this measure to help prevent injuries or even death, click here to visit Transport Québec website.

Source: Transport Québec

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