While I tend to pull into a left lane if there is an emergency vehicle on the side of the road, I never knew it was a law…until now.
Here’s an article from a man in Ottawa who got nailed with a $490 ticket and three demerit points for not knowing that it is law to pull into the left hand lane (on multi-lane highways) so you don’t go near an emergency vehicle.
My thoughts: I do agree with the law wholeheartedly. However, I do not agree that people should be getting fines of this extreme nature on a law that (according to the Ottawa Citizen article) has been in effect for the past three years and I am one of the many who have not heard about it. You would think that new driving laws of this serious nature would have an advertising campaign of sorts.
Here’s the article.
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5 replies on “Stay Far Away from Emergency Vehicles”
Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law.
Besides, would you want to be the emergency worker who is out on the road when some guy in a car zooms by at 120 km/h only 2 feet from you?
Please take note of my comment in the post saying “I agree with this law wholeheartedly.” Of course I don’t think emergency workers need people buzzing by them. That’s just plain silly. It’s a good law. In fact, I followed the law without even knowing it was a law. I always veer out of the way of cars (any of them) pulled over on the shoulder. It’s simply polite.
As for ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law…I foresee an amazing evening where I will throw out obscure laws and each time you don’t know the answer I shall cry out “Ignorance is no excuse! BAMBOOZLED!” (Bamboozled for the sole fact that it’s awesome to yell that out from time to time.)
From my experience working for the police,you would be surprised how many people don’t have any idea of the law……and get busted because of disobeying it. Most will try to plead ignorance, but in the end still get ticketed.
I have no doubt that I do not know all the federal, provincial, and municipal laws for all the locations that I pass through. For the most part, common sense seems to keep me away from problems with authorities on all levels.
-WARNING- moment of extreme hypocrisy to follow!!
That being said, I strongly believe that it is our civic duty to know the laws of the country you live in.
-the hypocrite is done shoving his foot in his mouth now.
Maybe I will start to read up on some of the Canadian criminal code or even the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
Back to the point on ignorance. Can you truly imagine that ignorance could be a legitimate defense?
Situation A:
You get pulled over for speeding on a highway when there was no sign posted. (According to Section 4 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, Part 128 the official speed limit when none is posted is 80km/h http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h08_e.htm#BK190)
Should you get the charges thrown out on the basis that you didn’t know this?
Situation B:
An immigrant comes from a country where it is acceptable to murder a family member if you suspect them to be unfaithful. The immigrant proceeds to kill a family member while living in Canada without knowing that it is a crime to do so here. (see Part 8 of the Canadian Criminal Code http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showdoc/cs/C-46/bo-ga:l_VIII-gb:s_229//en#anchorbo-ga:l_VIII-gb:s_229)
Should the immigrant get the charges thrown out on the basis that you didn’t know this?
The obvious question is; how can the judicial system remain unbiased by dropping the charges on one case and not the other. I’ll admit that the example stretches the limits a little, but I think it outlines the point.
Hmm…you have put some interesting thoughts into my head.
I suppose ignorance should not be a legitimate basis. However, where’s the balance? Is it fair if a law gets changed tomorrow and you get pulled over tomorrow that they charge you for it because you didn’t know about it? Well of course not! So where’s the balance? There must be a better way to disseminate information on law changes rather than giving out $500 traffic tickets that then get picked up as an Ottawa Citizen story (whoever did think of that is a Communications genius by the way. I can see the conversation…”Hey, how do we get people to know about this after three years of no one knowing about it?” “No tolerance policy in effect and let’s nail with them with a $500 ticket!”)
I guess what irks me is that a law has been passed and a lot of people don’t know about it and in the end, if it’s our civic duty to know changes in laws, then perhaps it’s the town/province/nation’s duty to let us know about any changes to any laws…much like how your tax guide has an UPDATES section. “Update: Is it now a traffic offense to pass an emergency vehicle on the side of the road while driving faster than 20km/h”