Canada: Hundreds ticketed for ignoring 'move over' law in Ontario this year

Ontario Provincial Police say they've laid 763 charges under the province's so-called "move over" law so far this year and are urging drivers to be mindful of the rule.

The law was established in 2003 and requires drivers to slow down and proceed with caution when approaching an emergency vehicle parked on the side of the highway with its lights on.

If the highway has more than one lane, the law requires the driver to move over and leave one lane between their vehicle and the parked emergency vehicle when that can be done safely.

Failure to follow the law can result in fines from $400 to $2,000 and three demerit points for a first offense.

The law was brought in after the deaths of officers responding to vehicles they had pulled over on the side of the road.

Police say they'll be conducting an education and enforcement campaign on the law over the upcoming long weekend.

They say increased traffic volumes over the weekend will result in more emergency vehicles on the road, making it particularly important for drivers to comply with the law.

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