Should Alberta Expand Move-Over Laws to Protect Snowplow Operators?

Official title: Roadside worker safety engagement

Closed Legislation Health & Safety Transportation
Alberta asked whether highway maintenance workers like snowplow operators should get the same legal protections as first responders. Between 2014 and 2018, over 2,200 workers were injured after being struck by vehicles. The consultation gathered ideas on move-over laws, passing speeds, and penalties.

Why This Matters

Drive past a snowplow or construction crew? This affects you. New rules could require you to slow down or change lanes when passing roadside workers. Fines for not doing so could increase significantly.

What Could Change

This consultation led to Bill 5, the Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2022. The law now extends move-over protections to highway maintenance workers, not just first responders. Drivers must slow down and move over when passing any roadside worker.

Key Issues

  • Should move-over laws be expanded to cover highway maintenance workers like snowplow operators?
  • What passing speed should vehicles maintain near roadside workers?
  • How much space should vehicles leave when passing workers?
  • Should fines and penalties for endangering roadside workers be increased?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation is now closed. Feedback was collected through an online survey from March 9 to April 6, 2021. The results informed Bill 5, the Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2022.

What Happened

Albertans shared feedback through an online survey from March 9 to April 6, 2021. The input helped inform the development of Bill 5, the Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2022, which strengthened roadway safety measures to better protect all first responders and roadside workers on Alberta's highways.

View Final Decision

Key Documents