CAA’s Slow Down Move Over Day Social Media Campaign Promotes Safety for Highway Workers
May 11th, 2021 is CAA Slow Down Move Over Day, a national day of safety in observance and recognition of first responders working on our highways, including tow truck operators, police officers, paramedics, fire department crews, construction workers, and highway patrol staff. CAA Clubs across Canada have designated the second Tuesday in May annually, as Slow Down Move Over Day to bring attention to this important safety issue. In Saskatchewan, it’s the law to slow to 60 km/h for all first responders working on our highways.
To heighten the awareness of safety for workers on our highways, CAA Saskatchewan has produced a social media campaign, which starts May 3 and will run until CAA Slow Down Move Over Day on May 11, 2021. The campaign features the faces and voices of a few Saskatchewan safety partners including: RCMP “F” Division Traffic Services, Roadside Responders Association (RRA), Paramedic Services Chiefs of Saskatchewan, White City Fire Department, and CAA Saskatchewan Roadside Assistance.
“Saskatchewan highways are not just highways,” said Randy Schulz, White City Fire Department Chief. “The highways are our work zones that we’ve set up and marked to let motorists know that we’re on the job helping people who are expecting us to help them. Motorists must slow down to help keep us safe and protect us while we’re working. Our fire department team has seen too many dangerous situations and close calls.”
Brad Stratychuk, President of Roadside Responders Association, added, “We’re constantly reminded of the dangers, knowing that in 2017, a tow operator was killed on duty during a blizzard while providing roadside assistance in the Esterhazy area.
Our association is proud to participate in this year’s Slow Down Move Over campaign. Providing service to our customers on the side of any road is a dangerous work zone.” Harv Britton, Vice-President of RRA, remarked, “education is key to get the information out and we are grateful to CAA for utilizing their network across Canada to help keep the men and women in our industry safe.”
Keith Woytiuk, President of the Paramedic Services Chiefs of Saskatchewan, remarked, “when you see those flashing lights out on the roadside, think about the people that might be standing there too – slow down move over to keep us all safe.”
“Tow truck operators, along with law enforcement and other important first responders are called to work on unplanned incidents on our roads and highways,” said Pat Friesen, Chair, CAA Saskatchewan Board of Directors. “We are reminding motorists that they can provide a safe working environment for those working on our highways, by slowing down and moving over. We thank our safety partners for joining CAA to emphasize the importance of Slow Down Move Over Day. This is an important safety message to apply not just today, but every day.”
Cst. Victoria Nicholls with RCMP “F” Division Traffic Services has witnessed many motorists who speed by and don’t seem to notice her or her colleagues parked on the highway, with their vehicle lights flashing. “We have families that are expecting us to come home safely at the end of our shift,” she said. “Please remember, slow down move over when you see us working on Saskatchewan highways. Motorists will be fined should they not slow to 60 km/h when passing us working on the highway, 365 days a year, 24/7. But more importantly, when they don’t slow down and respect us, and our work zones, they are putting our lives and the lives of those we are helping, in jeopardy.”
The CAA Slow Down Move Over social media campaign will be featured on CAA’s Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Many of the featured safety partners will share the produced messages on their respective social media channels for added awareness and education.
For further information, contact:
Christine Niemczyk
Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
306.791.4327 christine.niemczyk@caask.ca