The Ministry of Transportation recently announced changes to section 159 of the Highway Traffic Act which, effective January 1, 2027, will require all drivers to slow down and move over when approaching ‘A work-related vehicle with its lamp producing intermittent flashes of amber light’.
Guidance on the new law can be found at www.ontario.ca/page/driving-near-emergency-vehicles-tow-trucks-and-work-vehicles where the definition of work vehicles is described as highway maintenance vehicles, public utility vehicles, waste collection vehicles and roadside assistance vehicles.
This announcement is especially positive for our members who work for highway maintenance contractors and who put themselves in harms way everyday to help ensure our roads are kept safe.
For a full comprehensive breakdown on the changes, you can access it here: Working for Workers Six Act, 2024, S.O. 2024, c. 41 – Bill 229 | ontario.ca