Working For Workers Six Act, 2024
The Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Hon. David Piccini, has tabled a new omnibus Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 that contains many new updates, however one is specifically related to our members, and that is the amendments to Section 159 of the Highway Traffic Act to include slow down and move over requirements for any “work-related vehicle”.
Currently, Section 159 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) requires motorists to slow down when approaching a stopped emergency response vehicle (e.g., police, fire, ambulance) displaying red or red and blue emergency flashing lights, or tow trucks with flashing amber lights. If the highway has more than one lane, the law further requires drivers to move over and leave one lane between their vehicle and the parked emergency vehicle, provided it can be done safely. This law applies to all Ontario roads.
As part of the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024, the government is proposing amendments to section 159 of the HTA to enhance protection for roadside workers. The proposed changes would require drivers to slow down and, if safe to do so, move over for any prescribed “work-related vehicle” stopped at roadside with flashing amber lights activated. This requirement would apply outside of designated construction zones where reduced speed limits are already in effect. To support implementation, this proposal, if passed, would create regulation making authority to define the types of vehicles that qualify as “work-related vehicles” following future stakeholder engagement.
This proposal is intended to protect roadside workers, especially for those at roadside without the additional established safety measures within a construction zone, such as signage, reduced speed limits, and increased fines for speeding.
The proposal has been posted on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry for public comment.
AORS will be providing submission supporting this proposal on behalf of our members, however, members are encouraged to bring submissions on behalf of their municipality individually as well.
For more information, contact Kelly Elliott, Marketing and Communications Specialist, at kellyelliott@aors.on.ca.Â