A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Why Slowing Down And Moving Over Matters to Everyone
Marrianne Wilson President & CEO CAA Niagara
Most drivers have seen it.
Flashing lights on the shoulder. A tow truck loading a vehicle. A roadside technician helping someone with a flat tire or a dead battery.
For most of us, it’s a moment we pass by without thinking too much about it. We slow down briefly, then carry on with our day.
But for our Emergency Roadside Heroes, that moment is their workday. It’s where they spend hours at a time, helping people who are often stressed, stranded or unsure of what to do next.
At CAA Niagara, our team is out there every day supporting Members through unexpected situations in all kinds of conditions, often right alongside active traffic.
That’s why Ontario’s Slow Down Move Over law matters so much. It requires drivers to slow down and, when it’s safe to do so, move over for emergency and roadside assistance vehicles with their lights activated.
That extra space isn’t just about following the law; it helps protect the people who are there to help others and gives them the room they need to do their job safely.
We’re proud of the work our roadside team does every day, and we want to make sure they get home safely to their families at the end of the day.
The next time you see flashing lights ahead, take a moment, slow down and move over when it’s safe. It’s a simple action, but it can make all the difference.
CAA tow truck operators are your trusted roadside assistance. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF CAA NIAGARA
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
Let’s Create A Safer Workplace
Bill Kerr Chair, Board of Directors CAA Niagara
Over the past century, the way we travel has changed dramatically.
Vehicles have become safer and more advanced. Navigation systems guide us turn by turn, and many vehicles now include driver-assistance features that were once the stuff of science fiction. Technology continues to reshape the driving experience in remarkable ways. But even as vehicles become smarter, safety remains a shared responsibility between the technology we use and the choices we make.
One of those choices is how we respond when we encounter someone working on the side of the road.
Since the earliest days of automobile travel, motorists have relied on others to help when something goes wrong. Whether it’s a roadside technician assisting with a breakdown, a tow truck operator recovering a disabled vehicle or emergency responders attending an incident, these individuals perform essential work in an environment that can be unpredictable and dangerous. Ontario’s Slow Down Move Over law exists for exactly this reason. While many drivers associate the law with police, fire and ambulance vehicles, it also applies to tow trucks and roadside assistance vehicles displaying amber flashing lights. The goal is straightforward: create a safer workspace for those assisting motorists and responding to incidents.
What makes this issue particularly important is that it affects all of us. At some point, most drivers will experience a breakdown, flat tire, collision or other roadside emergency. When that day comes, we depend on someone else’s willingness to step into a challenging situation and provide assistance.
Protecting those who provide that help is a responsibility we share.
As CAA Niagara continues its mission of serving Members and strengthening our communities, we remain committed to promoting safer roads across our region. While vehicles and technology will continue to evolve, the importance of looking out for one another remains as relevant today as it was more than a century ago.
So please, slow down and move over!
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Why Slowing Down And Moving Over Matters to Everyone.
Marrianne Wilson President & CEO CAA Niagara
Most drivers have seen it.
Flashing lights on the shoulder. A tow truck loading a vehicle. A roadside technician helping someone with a flat tire or a dead battery.
For most of us, it’s a moment we pass by without thinking too much about it. We slow down briefly, then carry on with our day.
But for our Emergency Roadside Heroes, that moment is their workday. It’s where they spend hours at a time, helping people who are often stressed, stranded or unsure of what to do next.
At CAA Niagara, our team is out there every day supporting Members through unexpected situations in all kinds of conditions, often right alongside active traffic. That’s why Ontario’s Slow Down Move Over law matters so much. It requires drivers to slow down and, when it’s safe to do so, move over for emergency and roadside assistance vehicles with their lights activated.
That extra space isn’t just about following the law; it helps protect the people who are there to help others and gives them the room they need to do their job safely.
We’re proud of the work our roadside team does every day, and we want to make sure they get home safely to their families at the end of the day.
The next time you see flashing lights ahead, take a moment, slow down and move over when it’s safe. It’s a simple action, but it can make all the difference.
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
We All Share The Road
Bill Kerr Chair, Board of Directors CAA Niagara
Over the past century, the way we travel has changed dramatically.
Vehicles have become safer and more advanced. Navigation systems guide us turn by turn, and many vehicles now include driver-assistance features that were once the stuff of science fiction. Technology continues to reshape the driving experience in remarkable ways. But even as vehicles become smarter, safety remains a shared responsibility between the technology we use and the choices we make.
One of those choices is how we respond when we encounter someone working on the side of the road.
Since the earliest days of automobile travel, motorists have relied on others to help when something goes wrong. Whether it’s a roadside technician assisting with a breakdown, a tow truck operator recovering a disabled vehicle or emergency responders attending an incident, these individuals perform essential work in an environment that can be unpredictable and dangerous. Ontario’s Slow Down Move Over law exists for exactly this reason. While many drivers associate the law with police, fire and ambulance vehicles, it also applies to tow trucks and roadside assistance vehicles displaying amber flashing lights. The goal is straightforward: create a safer workspace for those assisting motorists and responding to incidents. What makes this issue particularly important is that it affects all of us. At some point, most drivers will experience a breakdown, flat tire, collision or other roadside emergency. When that day comes, we depend on someone else’s willingness to step into a challenging situation and provide assistance.
Protecting those who provide that help is a responsibility we share.
As CAA Niagara continues its mission of serving Members and strengthening our communities, we remain committed to promoting safer roads across our region. While vehicles and technology will continue to evolve, the importance of looking out for one another remains as relevant today as it was more than a century ago.
So please, slow down and move over!