BC Highway Patrol hands out tickets in South Okanagan to protect tow truck drivers

BC Highway Patrol set up a one-day campaign to crackdown on drivers who don’t safely pass tow truck drivers, emergency personnel, and other official vehicles working on the road near Keremeos.

Officers handed out eight tickets and issued 14 warnings for failing to slow down and move over in a span of three hours on Highway 3 on Feb. 22, according to a press release from BC Highway Patrol.

“The safety of emergency personnel, tow truck operators and other official vehicles with their lights active is paramount,” Sgt. Brian Evans said in the release.

_{BC Highway Patrol pulling someone over. SUBMITTED/BC Highway Patrol}

Officers also gave out two tickets and six warnings for speeding. One driver was caught for excessive speed, given a $368 fine, and had his vehicle impounded for a week.

The goal was to remind drivers that they have to slow down for any official vehicle with the lights on. Failing to slow down and move over can get a driver a $173 ticket and three penalty points.

Highway patrol wants people to know that it decided that February is a month dedicated to “Slow Down and Move Over.”