Prince Albert asks province for emergency vehicle law

Prince Albert city councillors are asking for the provinces help to curb traffic safety violations.

In a resolution to be presented to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) today, Feb.2, Coun. Martin Ring said there is a disregard for the safety of emergency vehicles on Saskatchewan roadways.

“We’re under significant pressure for the time it takes for firetrucks, for example, to attend the scene of a fire. At times they’re being impeded by traffic,” Ring said.

The Traffic Safety Act requires all motorists to yield or pull over and stop for an emergency vehicle. But Ring and his fellow councillors believe the act must be strengthened through increased fines, as it is currently being ignored.

“We’ve already got the pull-over…law when…emergency vehicles are pulled-over on the side of the road. We have to slow down to 60 when we’re passing them. We’re looking for the next step,” Ring said, adding the province of Newfoundland has done something similar.

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Ring realizes there is a need for increased public education as there is also concerns about the enforceability of a law.

SUMA is an annual conference of Saskatchewan cities, towns and villages. Municipalities bring forward resolutions in an attempt to lobby the provincial government.

Air Ronge has brought two items to the conference. The village is asking for the development and maintenance of adequate fire guards and upgrade to power lines in northern communities.

dreynolds@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @danitska