**** RCMP Media Release
RCMP reminding drivers to slow down and move over
Today marks five years since the tragic death of Constable Frank Deschênes. A 12-year RCMP member, and a member of the Nova Scotia RCMP’s Northwest Traffic Services team, Constable Deschênes was assisting a driver on the side of the highway near Memramcook, New Brunswick, when he was struck and killed by a passing motorist.
Constable Deschênes is remembered by his family and colleagues as someone who was committed to helping his community. His brother, Patrick Deschênes, a New Brunswick RCMP Operational Communications Centre operator, shared his memories of his brother and why the move over law is important in protecting the safety of those who work on the side of the roads.
In honour of Constable Deschênes’ memory, members with the Nova Scotia RCMP and New Brunswick RCMP will be out educating drivers in each province on the move over laws throughout the week. The move over laws are in place to help protect those who work on the side of the roads. The law requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching emergency and service vehicles that are stopped on the roadside with emergency lights flashing. In:
- New Brunswick: Drivers are required to slow down to a maximum of half of the posted speed limit, and move over to the left, if safe to do so. If there are two or more lanes of traffic, drivers must move into another lane, if it can be done safely.
- Nova Scotia: Drivers are required to slow down to a maximum of 60 km/h, or to follow the posted speed limit if it’s lower than 60 km/h, and move over to the left, if safe to do so. If there are two or more lanes of traffic, drivers must move into another lane, if it can be done safely.
By slowing down and moving over, a driver is creating a safe space for themselves and for the emergency responders and service vehicle operators to carry out their work while on the shoulder of the road, whether it is police doing a traffic stop, paramedics treating a person in medical distress or tow truck operator assisting a driver.
Our thoughts continue to be with Constable Deschênes’ family, friends and colleagues.
