Slow Down. Move Over. Save Lives.

Recent road collisions have highlighted the serious risks first responders face every day—simply for doing their jobs. In these incidents, emergency workers were injured and emergency vehicles were damaged because drivers did not follow Ontario’s “Move Over” law.

These events are a clear reminder that flashing lights on the shoulder are not an inconvenience—they are a warning that lives are at risk.

Durham Vision Zero’s core principle is that no loss of life on our roads is acceptable, and that every resident deserves to get home safely. This commitment extends to the region’s first responders who put themselves at risk to protect others.

Every time police, paramedics, firefighters or road maintenance crews respond to an incident, they work just inches away from fast‑moving traffic. Often, reflective clothing and a few traffic cones are the only protection between them and passing vehicles.

Every emergency scene is unpredictable. Drivers who fail to move over put responders, patients and themselves in danger. One moment of inattention can lead to injuries, damaged vehicles or worse.

In October 2025, a tractor-trailer struck a Clarington firetruck in Newtonville, sending two firefighters to the hospital with injuries. The next month, three firefighters of the Uxbridge Fire Department were seriously injured when they were struck by an approaching vehicle while on the scene of a crash. In another recent incident in Newcastle, two Region of Durham paramedics were injured when a dump truck hit their ambulance. A Clarington fire truck on the scene was also damaged.  

These incidents remind us of the risks emergency responders face every time they answer the call. They need space to do their jobs safely. Durham Vision Zero puts safety over speed and convenience, recognizing that the cost of a life is immeasurable.

Under Ontario’s “Move Over” law, drivers must slow down and move over one lane, if safe to do so, when passing stopped emergency vehicles. Penalties for not doing so include fines up to $2,000, three demerit points and license suspension for up to two years. The legislation applies to police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances and tow trucks.

But this isn’t just the law—it’s about saving lives.

I would like to sincerely thank the Durham Regional Police Service, Region of Durham Paramedic Services, local fire departments and all first responders for their courage and dedication to keeping our communities safe—even under extremely hazardous conditions.

Let’s honour their work by doing our part.

John Henry
Regional Chair and CEO

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