The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are pointing to a recent, frightening incident on Highway 417 as a stark reminder of why drivers must slow down and move over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the roadside.
A Close Call on the Shoulder
The scene was already chaotic on January 2, 2024, near Bayshore Drive. Ottawa OPP officers were managing a two-vehicle collision. One vehicle had departed, and the other was already loaded onto the back of a tow truck. That's when a third vehicle entered the picture.
According to police, this driver sped past two marked police cruisers using the left shoulder of the road. The car then smashed directly into the rear of the stationary tow truck. Constable Michael Fathi of the Ottawa OPP detachment revealed the tow truck driver was in the process of climbing into his cab at the exact moment of impact.
Miraculous Escape and Legal Consequences
Miraculously, no one was injured in the secondary collision. Constable Fathi emphasized the tow truck driver was protected by his vehicle's structure, stating, "That could have been even worse."
The driver who caused the crash did not escape legal repercussions. They were issued a $490 fine and received three demerit points on their driving record for the dangerous maneuver.
OPP's Urgent Safety Plea
The OPP is leveraging this near-tragedy to reinforce the critical importance of Ontario's Move Over law. This legislation requires drivers to slow down and, if safe to do so, change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles or tow trucks with their lights flashing.
"If you see an emergency vehicle or tow truck with the lights on, slow down and move over," Constable Fathi urged in the wake of the incident. The police force shared images of the damaged vehicles on social media to provide visual, undeniable evidence of the risks first responders and service providers face daily.
This event on one of Ottawa's busiest highways serves as a powerful warning: failing to obey the Move Over law isn't just a traffic infraction—it can directly endanger lives at a scene where people are already vulnerable.
