Twenty-five years ago, OPP Sgt. Margaret Eve was struck and killed by a transport truck while she was stopped on Highway 401 near Chatham. Her death galvanized support for what became Ontario’s “Move Over Law,” enacted in 2003. The rule now protects police, firefighters, paramedics and tow-truck operators working on the shoulder.
Yet far too many motorists still ignore it:
1,282 drivers were charged in 2023 for failing to move over or slow down—a rise of roughly 50 % from 2022’s 846 charges. (
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OPP reports show nearly 1,300 violations during last summer’s Civic Holiday enforcement alone. (
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The penalties
In 2025, the penalties for violating Ontario’s Move Over Law are steep. A first offence can result in a fine ranging from $400 to $2,000, along with up to three demerit points and a possible insurance surcharge. Repeat offenders—those convicted a second time within five years—face fines between $1,000 and $4,000, up to six demerit points, and even the possibility of six months in jail and a two-year driver’s licence suspension.
These penalties reflect the serious risk posed to roadside emergency workers when drivers fail to slow down and move over.
What the law requires
- Slow to a safe speed when approaching any stopped emergency vehicle (police, fire, EMS) or tow truck with flashing red, blue or amber lights.
- Move over one full lane on multi-lane roads—only if it’s safe to do so.
- Keep the next lane clear until you are well past the scene.
A quick refresher for every driver
- Scan ahead. Flashing lights mean you must prepare to brake before you reach the scene.
- Signal early. Let the surrounding traffic know you intend to change lanes.
- No lane to give? Reduce speed significantly and pass with extreme caution.
- Night & bad weather. Visibility drops; give workers even more space.
- Share the rule. Talk about it with teen drivers and visiting relatives unfamiliar with Ontario law.
Looking ahead
OPP will run targeted enforcement again this Civic Holiday weekend and beyond. Officers say education is working, but charges remain “stubbornly high.” Let’s honour Sgt. Eve’s legacy by making 2025 the year every Ontario driver automatically slows down and moves over.