BC's Slow Down Move Over Law

I remember when this was first announced and thinking at the time it would only create another hazard on the road.

Leaving Vancouver in the midst of the morning rush hour just after it came into law I past a vehicle that was pulled over by the police and people were slowing and trying to move over and sure enough just a few minutes after  passing there was an accident caused by the backup of the original police stop.

I understand how those driving emergency vehicles want to do their job as safely as possible. Unfortunately, I always remember the story we heard as kids of  "The boy who cried wolf". 

In the video at the end of the article we see a police vehicle sticking close to halfway further into traffic. Is this not creating a greater hazard? And often on two lane highways we see the same procedure but in this case the headlights are flashing between low and high beam again creating a increase hazard for traffic approaching especially at night. Then with the LED lightbars most emergency vehicles have it should be mandatory they be equipped with automatic dimmers based on the ambient light. This can not be left to the operator as most seem oblivious to the hazard they are creating by trying to eliminate another.

Think of the last time you went out on the highway of how many vehicles you past with amber flashing lights? Currently I live in an area where highway upgrading is being done. All the contractor vehicles have amber flashing lights and except for one or two these lights are flashing constantly even when they are driving back and forth to work. I would say that 98% of the drivers pay no attention. Remember the boy that cried wolf?

All safety measures must be practiced with common sense. Unfortunately, in my opinion very few of the operators of these vehicles use common sense. Basically, they are demanding the upmost courtesy from the general public when they are not capable of using discretion in the use of a safety device they personally control.

And if you have every watched an episode of "Highway thru hell" or "Heavy Rescue - 401" they are constantly complaining about vehicles not slowing down and moving over. Then when they do move over and slow down their complaining about "lookey loos". Make up your minds. You can't have it both ways.

I can't recall the number of times I have come across situation where you have emergency vehicles parked in the middle or even straddling two lanes, high beams on, lights flashing wandering around like chickens, yet not one safety cone out to warn traffic. As a person that spent most of my life in a supervisory or owner position I would never put a crew to work without teaching them one of the most important aspect of any critical situation. Secure your scene! You cannot render assistance when you become part of the incident. Yet this is what I see on a regular basis.

Safety is a two-way street. Are you doing your part or are you part of the problem?

I've been a licenced driver since the mid 1950's holding a Class 1, and true traffic has greatly increased but I find the consideration of those in the industry have forgotten or I don't believe have ever been taught some fundamental safety rules. Clean up your own act and maybe the public will give you more consideration.

Scenario: 

I'm on a freeway where the speed limit is normally 100 kph. Because work is going on, there's a construction speed zone of 70 kph. There are vehicles with amber flashing lights working all along the side of the highway through the construction zone.

Am I allowed to go 70 kph? Or only 40 kph?