Emergency response vehicles and tow trucks

Emergency response vehicles and tow trucks When driving you may encounter incidents that cause lane closures or narrow lanes. These incidents can include traffic accidents, disabled vehicles, spilled cargo, and highway maintenance or construction. If you see flashing lights from emergency vehicles or roadside workers such as tow trucks, snowplows, or highway maintenance vehicles, it means there is a situation ahead that requires your attention and caution. Follow directions given by emergency personnel directing traffic. Be aware that the vehicle ahead of you may stop or reduce speed unexpectedly to view the scene. One of the most serious problems associated with these types of incidents is the risk of response personnel or equipment being struck by passing vehicles. Services that typically respond to highway incidents include: • law enforcement • ambulance • fire • towing. Motorists must reduce speed to 60 km/h or the posted speed, whichever is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks that are stopped with their lights flashing. This law applies to the lane(s) immediately next to the stopped vehicles. The fine for speeding in these areas is doubled. If you are not in the lane next to the stopped vehicles, you still need to be watchful and cautious. Reduce your speed and leave lots of space between yourself and emergency personnel and equipment at the scene. Also, watch for the movement of personnel around the scene.

Text extracted from the PDF for reference and may contain layout artefacts. The official PDF is authoritative.

Source: Driver's Guide: cars and light trucks, Spring 2026. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Alberta.