David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/towing-move-over-law-new-brunswick-1.5007693
Tow operator optimistic government will extend move-over law to protect industry
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Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos
Wow on the same day Acker is
whining to CBC NB Power's lawyers want to argue the documents I sent him
in 2007 after he stole my Harley
Dianne MacPherson
Why is NB usually the last to pass laws on Policy ????
We are forever making excuses for a lot of things; and
aren't we sick to death of hearing that old stand-by...
"let's look to see what the rest of the Country is doing" ??
The 'move-over' Law was enacted in 2013......why didn't we
get it right the first time ????
We are forever making excuses for a lot of things; and
aren't we sick to death of hearing that old stand-by...
"let's look to see what the rest of the Country is doing" ??
The 'move-over' Law was enacted in 2013......why didn't we
get it right the first time ????
Marc Bourque
Why stop there,must include
also any vehicle stopped on the side of the road,even if they dont
having flashing lights.You pull over to read a map or talk on a cell,you
are in the same boat as those who tow vehicles or emergency personal.Do
the right hing folks slow down a tad and dont rubber neck to see whats
going on!
David Amos
@Marc Bourque I wholeheartedly agree sir
Gord Thomas
It's common sense to pull
over to the other lane when you see anyone pulled over on the side of
the hwy, but then again there are some out there that do not have any
common sense.
David Amos
@Gord Thomas "but then again there are some out there that do not have any common sense"
Methinks common sense is a rare thing in New Brunswick when a former President of the SANB and a current MLA pretends that he does not know what that is N'esy Pas?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/green-mla-comments-1.4922740
Nazi reference in poor taste but doesn't break rules, Speaker decides
"Green MLA Kevin Arseneau has been critical of People Alliance Leader Kris Austin's use of the phrase 'common sense,' suggesting it disguises an agenda to undermine francophone rights."
Michael Hunt
Hi Andy haven't seen ya in a while , your getting to old and slow to be driving a tow truck anyway !
@Michael Hunt Methinks you should ask your buddy why his lawyer hasn't answered me yet N'esy Pas?
Emilien Forest
Common sense usually dictates
the action of any individual unfortunately sense is not usually common.
Grouping a tow truck driver along with first responders does not fit
this category. I've witnessed on numerous occasions tow truck drivers
driving on highways and streets with disregard to other motorists so
perhaps their-own-dime-training should be the first step.
Jim Johnston
@Emilien Forest Just like
drivers there are some tow truck drivers that are not good drivers.
Probably worse drivers in the police forces (Fredericton - although they
are improving). Nova Scotia's law seems reasonable and provides the
direction clearly
.
David Amos
@Emilien Forest "I've
witnessed on numerous occasions tow truck drivers driving on highways
and streets with disregard to other motorists "
Me Too Furthermore they stole my Harley too
Me Too Furthermore they stole my Harley too
David Amos
@Emilien Forest One year
after I ran in the election of the 39th Parliament against Andy Scott
in Fredericton this was in the news.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fredericton-woman-dies-after-being-hit-by-tow-truck-1.584767
"A University of New Brunswick student died Thursday after being struck by a tow truck in Fredericton.
Cpl. Martin Gaudet, spokesman for the Fredericton Police Department, said 26-year-old Leslie Bruce was walking on the highway behind the Aitken Centre when she was hit by the truck.
It was the second accident involving a pedestrian in Fredericton on Thursday. A 50-year-old man lost his left leg after he was pinned between a truck and a guardrail in another area of the city."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/accident-victim-urges-drivers-walkers-to-slow-down-1.577098
"Fredericton city council has requested a report from police on why there are so many car-pedestrian accidents, and ways to avoid them".
I never heard of any results to any report. Methinks everybody should understand that I was not surprised that Cpl. Martin Gaudet of Fat Fred City Finest asked his buddies at Capital Towing to steal my Harley N'esy Pas?
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Drouin, Nathalie (BRQ)" <Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca>
Date:
Thu, 7 Feb 2019 14:45:30 +0000
Subject: Réponse automatique : Wow on the same day Acker is whining to
CBC NB Power's lawyers want to argue the documents I sent him in 2007
after he stole my Harley and the year before Carl Urquhart and Greg
Thompson had me alsely arrested
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Veuillez noter que je suis absente jusqu'au 11 Février 2019, sans
accès à mes courriels. Pour toute question qui ne peut attendre mon
retour, je vous invite à communiquer avec mon adjointe Irène Ghobril
au 514-283-5687. Merci.
Please note that I am away until February 11, 2019, with no access to
my e-mails. For assistance, please contact Irène Ghobril at
514-283-5687. Thank you.
NOTIFICATION ÉLECTRONIQUE: NotificationPGC-AGC.Civil@ justice.gc.ca
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Gallant, Brian (LEG)" <Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca>
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2019 14:45:31 +0000
Subject: RE: Wow on the same day Acker is whining to CBC NB Power's
lawyers want to argue the documents I sent him in 2007 after he stole
my Harley and the year before Carl Urquhart and Greg Thompson had me
alsely arrested
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Leader of the Official Opposition of New
Brunswick. Please be assured that your e-mail will be reviewed.
If this is a media request, please forward your e-mail to
ashley.beaudin@gnb.cam edia-medias@gnb.ca
>.
Thank you!Subject: Réponse automatique : Wow on the same day Acker is whining to
CBC NB Power's lawyers want to argue the documents I sent him in 2007
after he stole my Harley and the year before Carl Urquhart and Greg
Thompson had me alsely arrested
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Veuillez noter que je suis absente jusqu'au 11 Février 2019, sans
accès à mes courriels. Pour toute question qui ne peut attendre mon
retour, je vous invite à communiquer avec mon adjointe Irène Ghobril
au 514-283-5687. Merci.
Please note that I am away until February 11, 2019, with no access to
my e-mails. For assistance, please contact Irène Ghobril at
514-283-5687. Thank you.
NOTIFICATION ÉLECTRONIQUE: NotificationPGC-AGC.Civil@
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Gallant, Brian (LEG)" <Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca>
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2019 14:45:31 +0000
Subject: RE: Wow on the same day Acker is whining to CBC NB Power's
lawyers want to argue the documents I sent him in 2007 after he stole
my Harley and the year before Carl Urquhart and Greg Thompson had me
alsely arrested
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Leader of the Official Opposition of New
Brunswick. Please be assured that your e-mail will be reviewed.
If this is a media request, please forward your e-mail to
ashley.beaudin@gnb.ca
---
Nous vous remercions d’avoir communiqué avec le chef de l’opposition
officielle du Nouveau-Brunswick. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel
sera examiné.
Si ceci est une demande médiatique, prière de la transmettre à
ashley.beaudin@gnb.ca
---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2019 10:45:16 -0400
Subject: Wow on the same day Acker is whining to CBC NB Power's
lawyers want to argue the documents I sent him in 2007 after he stole
my Harley and the year before Carl Urquhart and Greg Thompson had me
alsely arrested
To: Ernie.Steeves@gnb.ca, carl.urquhart@gnb.ca, greg.thompson2@gnb.ca,
David.Coon@gnb.ca, kris.austin@gnb.ca, megan.mitton@gnb.ca,
Kevin.A.Arseneau@gnb.ca, robert.gauvin@gnb.ca,
rick.desaulniers@gnb.ca, premier premier@gnb.ca,
michelle.conroy@gnb.ca, oldmaison@yahoo.com, tyler.campbell@gnb.ca,
andre@jafaust.com, jbosnitch@gmail.com, brian.gallant@gnb.ca,
greg.byrne@gnb.ca, andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca, david.eidt@gnb.ca,
jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca, Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca
Cc: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>,
Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca, steve.murphy@ctv.ca,
David.Lametti@parl.gc.ca, Manon.Hardy@justice.gc.ca
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
5 Comments
David Amos
Wow on the same day Acker is whining to CBC NB Power's lawyers want to
argue the documents I sent him in 2007 after he stole my Harley
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2019 09:26:25 -0400
Subject: Fwd: February 6, 2019 EUB 430 Matter transcript
To: Mike.Holland@gnb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca, kris.austin@gnb.ca,
brian.gallant@gnb.ca, blaine.higgs@gnb.ca, premier@gnb.ca,
andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca, Nathalie.Drouin@justice.gc.ca,
jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca, Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,
hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca, washington.field@ic.fbi.gov,
Boston.Mail@ic.fbi.gov
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Suzanne Ross <SueR1941@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2019 12:41:05 +0000
Subject: February 6, 2019 transcript
To: David.Raymond.Amos333@gmail.
Paul.Volpe@enbridge.com, dave.lavigne@enbridge.com,
Gilles.volpe@enbridge.com, jeffery.callaghan@
gerald@kissnb.com, cstewart@stewartmckelvey.com,
hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com, lcozzarini@nbpower.com,
jfurey@nbpower.com, SWaycott@nbpower.com, NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com,
wharrison@nbpower.com,bcrawfor
ecdesmond@nbeub.ca, Michael.Dickie@nbeub.ca, dave.young@nbeub.ca,
Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca, general@nbeub.ca,
heather.black@gnb.ca, rdk@indecon.com, rrichard@nb.aibn.com,
jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com, dan.dionne@perth-andover.com,
pierreroy@edmundston.ca,.robin
pzarnett@bdrenergy.com
Hello,
Attached is yesterday’s transcript.
Thank you!
Tow operator optimistic government will extend move-over law to protect industry
PC MLAs who called for the changes last year are now cabinet ministers
A New Brunswick tow truck operator is
optimistic the province will implement changes to its move-over
law recommended last year that could help protect the industry.
Andrew Aker, co-owner of Capital Towing in Hanwell, said discussions with the previous Liberal government resulted in recommendations to update the Motor Vehicle Act.
He hopes the Progressive Conservative government that took power in November will act on those recommendations.
"We're hoping to nudge the government along a little bit to see whether they're going to follow up on what was done during the Liberal tenure," said Aker. "I think there's reason for optimism."
The "move-over" provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act enacted in 2013 require drivers to slow down and move to the left when fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles are stopped with their emergency lights activated. Tow trucks aren't covered by the law.
Aker said a tow truck driver was injured in a crash on the Trans-Canada Highway in Moncton on Tuesday — a reminder of the dangers of working on the side of highways as vehicles zoom past.
"I
think if we just relax and say we got lucky (Tuesday) and we don't look
to make changes or accept suggestions on how we can improve the
situation, we've lost an opportunity," Aker said.
Last March, PC MLAs Ernie Steeves and Carl Urquhart introduced a motion calling on the Liberal government to add tow trucks, carry out an education campaign on the law and add roadside signs.
"We are asking for it to happen for sure so that people know that they have to move over,"
Steeves said in the legislature March 15. "It is a small ask. It is a cheap ask, and we are asking that the government please respond in a positive way to this motion."
It passed with Liberal support for improved education. Because it was only a motion and not a bill, the law didn't change.
Urquhart is now the province's public safety minister and Steeves finance minister.
CBC requested an interview with Steeves and Urquhart on Wednesday. No interviews were provided.
Alexandra Davis, a spokesperson for the public safety department, said in an emailed statement the province is reviewing move-over provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. Davis said it is also looking at the rules in other provinces.
Tow trucks were added to move-over rules in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island last year. Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba are among other provinces with similar rules, according to the Canadian Automobile Association.
In Nova Scotia, the law is broader than in New Brunswick.
It covers public safety officers, tow truck operators, emergency personnel, conservation officers and motor vehicle inspectors. It also requires drivers to slow down to at least 60 km/h for vehicles pulled over with emergency lights activated.
Aker said a weakness of New Brunswick's law is that it doesn't specify a speed for drivers who are passing emergency vehicles.
Nova
Scotia's changes followed the death of Francis Deschênes. The
Amherst-based Mountie was killed when he was hit by a cargo van on Sept.
12, 2017 on the Trans-Canada Highway south of Moncton. He was helping a
motorist change a flat tire.
The Mountie worked for a traffic unit and had promoted move-over laws in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Originally from northern New Brunswick, he was in the process of being transferred to Codiac RCMP in Moncton.
Deschênes widow, Savannah Deschênes, went to Nova Scotia's legislature to support move-over changes and has also lobbied for changes in New Brunswick.
Steeves said last year he introduced the motion in the New Brunswick legislature after being contacted by Savannah Deschênes.
She still hopes the province will implement the change.
"I think the government needs to promote, promote, promote such as put signs up, do mail outs and put this in the young drivers handbook/testing," Savannah Deschênes said in a Facebook message Wednesday. "This would be a start."
CBC's Journalistic Standards and PracticesAndrew Aker, co-owner of Capital Towing in Hanwell, said discussions with the previous Liberal government resulted in recommendations to update the Motor Vehicle Act.
He hopes the Progressive Conservative government that took power in November will act on those recommendations.
"We're hoping to nudge the government along a little bit to see whether they're going to follow up on what was done during the Liberal tenure," said Aker. "I think there's reason for optimism."
The "move-over" provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act enacted in 2013 require drivers to slow down and move to the left when fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles are stopped with their emergency lights activated. Tow trucks aren't covered by the law.
Aker said a tow truck driver was injured in a crash on the Trans-Canada Highway in Moncton on Tuesday — a reminder of the dangers of working on the side of highways as vehicles zoom past.
Last March, PC MLAs Ernie Steeves and Carl Urquhart introduced a motion calling on the Liberal government to add tow trucks, carry out an education campaign on the law and add roadside signs.
"We are asking for it to happen for sure so that people know that they have to move over,"
Steeves said in the legislature March 15. "It is a small ask. It is a cheap ask, and we are asking that the government please respond in a positive way to this motion."
It passed with Liberal support for improved education. Because it was only a motion and not a bill, the law didn't change.
Urquhart is now the province's public safety minister and Steeves finance minister.
Province reviewing law
CBC requested an interview with Steeves and Urquhart on Wednesday. No interviews were provided.
Alexandra Davis, a spokesperson for the public safety department, said in an emailed statement the province is reviewing move-over provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. Davis said it is also looking at the rules in other provinces.
Tow trucks were added to move-over rules in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island last year. Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba are among other provinces with similar rules, according to the Canadian Automobile Association.
In Nova Scotia, the law is broader than in New Brunswick.
It covers public safety officers, tow truck operators, emergency personnel, conservation officers and motor vehicle inspectors. It also requires drivers to slow down to at least 60 km/h for vehicles pulled over with emergency lights activated.
Aker said a weakness of New Brunswick's law is that it doesn't specify a speed for drivers who are passing emergency vehicles.
The Mountie worked for a traffic unit and had promoted move-over laws in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Originally from northern New Brunswick, he was in the process of being transferred to Codiac RCMP in Moncton.
Deschênes widow, Savannah Deschênes, went to Nova Scotia's legislature to support move-over changes and has also lobbied for changes in New Brunswick.
She still hopes the province will implement the change.
"I think the government needs to promote, promote, promote such as put signs up, do mail outs and put this in the young drivers handbook/testing," Savannah Deschênes said in a Facebook message Wednesday. "This would be a start."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/fredericton-woman-dies-after-being-hit-by-tow-truck-1.584767
Fredericton woman dies after being hit by tow truck
A University of New Brunswick student died Thursday after beingstruck by a tow truck in Fredericton.
Cpl. Martin Gaudet, spokesman for the Fredericton Police Department, said 26-year-old Leslie Bruce was walking on the highway behind the Aitken Centre when she was hit by the truck.
It was the second accident involving a pedestrian in Fredericton on Thursday. A 50-year-old man lost his left leg afterhe was pinned between a truck and a guardrail in another area of the city. He is expected to recover.
Gaudet said an investigation is underway in both cases.
There's such a wide variety of why these accidents take place," he said. "Driver error, pedestrian error, weather conditions. ... It's very important for us to do a thorough investigation to be fair to all parties."
Bruce was the 28th pedestrian to be struck by a car in the city this year and the second to die.
Fredericton police have begun a special study on pedestrian accidents in the city.
Cpl. Martin Gaudet, spokesman for the Fredericton Police Department, said 26-year-old Leslie Bruce was walking on the highway behind the Aitken Centre when she was hit by the truck.
It was the second accident involving a pedestrian in Fredericton on Thursday. A 50-year-old man lost his left leg afterhe was pinned between a truck and a guardrail in another area of the city. He is expected to recover.
Gaudet said an investigation is underway in both cases.
There's such a wide variety of why these accidents take place," he said. "Driver error, pedestrian error, weather conditions. ... It's very important for us to do a thorough investigation to be fair to all parties."
Bruce was the 28th pedestrian to be struck by a car in the city this year and the second to die.
Fredericton police have begun a special study on pedestrian accidents in the city.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/accident-victim-urges-drivers-walkers-to-slow-down-1.577098
Accident victim urges drivers, walkers to slow down
A
Fredericton woman who was hit and dragged 14 metres by a commercial van
last month is urging drivers and pedestrians to watch out for each
other.
"Sometimes pedestrians don't pay attention and they really need to," said Tanya Brown, 30, who was crossing an intersection on Bishop Drive on Nov. 3 when she was hit. "Walking is really good for your health and things like that, and you have to be careful and look both ways before crossing.
"For drivers too, they need to stop and just take their time to get where they are going and not be in such a hurry."
The accident left Brown with multiple fractures, including a broken femur, pelvis and ribs, a punctured lung and a sprained foot. She spent three weeks in hospital.
She's nowrecovering at home, butcan't work yet and is using a walker to get around.
Brown isamong 28 people hit by cars in Fredericton this year, and medical and law enforcement officials are concerned.
Last Thursday, a 50-year-old man lost his leg when he was hit and pinned against a guardrail. Later that day, a 26-year-old student was struck and killed by a tow truck while crossing a stretch of highway near the University of New Brunswick.
Brown feels lucky to have survived, and says both drivers and pedestrians need to slow down.
"Well, I think I was pretty fortunate, and I think it was a miracle I survived that accident. My injuries sound like they might have been pretty severe, but it could have been a lot worse."
Awoke to pain
She doesn't remember getting hit, but remembers how she felt when she awoke.
"When I woke up, I was down the street some. And I remember waking up and was in a lot of pain, I was really cold and I remember seeing all this blood around my head."
Fredericton city council has requested a report from police on why there are so many car-pedestrian accidents, and waysto avoid them.
Police say no charge has been laid against the driver of the van, but the matter is still under investigation.
Brown is expected to start physiotherapy on her leg this week. She says her recovery has been difficult.
"My body is used to doing a lot of walking and stuff, so right now it feels kind of weird that I can't walk too long or stand too long, so I guess eventually it will get better and I'll be able to do a bit more."
"Sometimes pedestrians don't pay attention and they really need to," said Tanya Brown, 30, who was crossing an intersection on Bishop Drive on Nov. 3 when she was hit. "Walking is really good for your health and things like that, and you have to be careful and look both ways before crossing.
"For drivers too, they need to stop and just take their time to get where they are going and not be in such a hurry."
The accident left Brown with multiple fractures, including a broken femur, pelvis and ribs, a punctured lung and a sprained foot. She spent three weeks in hospital.
She's nowrecovering at home, butcan't work yet and is using a walker to get around.
Brown isamong 28 people hit by cars in Fredericton this year, and medical and law enforcement officials are concerned.
Last Thursday, a 50-year-old man lost his leg when he was hit and pinned against a guardrail. Later that day, a 26-year-old student was struck and killed by a tow truck while crossing a stretch of highway near the University of New Brunswick.
Brown feels lucky to have survived, and says both drivers and pedestrians need to slow down.
"Well, I think I was pretty fortunate, and I think it was a miracle I survived that accident. My injuries sound like they might have been pretty severe, but it could have been a lot worse."
Awoke to pain
She doesn't remember getting hit, but remembers how she felt when she awoke.
"When I woke up, I was down the street some. And I remember waking up and was in a lot of pain, I was really cold and I remember seeing all this blood around my head."
Fredericton city council has requested a report from police on why there are so many car-pedestrian accidents, and waysto avoid them.
Police say no charge has been laid against the driver of the van, but the matter is still under investigation.
Brown is expected to start physiotherapy on her leg this week. She says her recovery has been difficult.
"My body is used to doing a lot of walking and stuff, so right now it feels kind of weird that I can't walk too long or stand too long, so I guess eventually it will get better and I'll be able to do a bit more."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/tow-truck-law-caa-road-side-accidents-safety-1.4193092
'They just don't slow down': Tow truck drivers seek revision of 'move over' law
'Move over' law includes police, ambulance and fire trucks but not tow trucks
Tow
truck driver Brent Dunphy still remembers the day he had to dive for
cover under a truck because of an inattentive driver who nearly clipped
him on the side of a highway.
"I've had a few close calls," said the 14-year veteran driver. "I haven't gotten hit yet, but they just don't slow down, they don't move over, they don't give you the courtesy whatsoever."
Dunphy is one of dozens of tow truck drivers, along with the Canadian Automobile Association, asking New Brunswick to revise a law requiring vehicles to move into the left lane when passing emergency and roadwork vehicles.
New Brunswick passed the 'move over' law in 2013. It requires drivers to slow down and, where possible, move into the left lane when emergency vehicles are pulled off the road with their lights flashing.
Police, ambulance and
fire trucks are protected by this the law, but tow trucks are not —
despite the drivers being at equal risk.
Driver Tovey Clendenning is still recovering from injuries he sustained four months ago on a dead-end road on the north side of Fredericton when an SUV crashed into his truck, sending him flying eight feet through the air.
"When you are on the side of the road, side of the highway, you are watching all the time, your head's on a swivel," he said. "But you let your guard down on a dead-end street and then bang. Can't let your guard down, I guess."
He was talking to a customer and had his back to the approaching SUV, he said.
The driver was blinded by the sun, and hit the front of the tow truck and then the door, behind which Clendenning stood.
"I got lucky. I could be in a wheelchair ... or worse."
Anyone who violates the provisions of the law will be fined almost $300 and lose three points off of their driver's licence.
Dunphy said he's noticed a lot of distracted drivers and people going much faster in recent years.
He hopes changing the law will raise more awareness on roadside safety and remind people to pay more attention.
"If it saves one life, then we've won," he said.
Gary Howard, spokesperson for CAA Atlantic, said the association has tried for four years to get the government to revise the 'move over' law.
Because of the change of government two years ago, the association had to restart its discussion, he said.
"I think we're making some good progress now, so I expect this is something that we will see this year," he said.
He added the association is also talking to governments in P.E.I. and Nova Scotia.
"Newfoundland has it as part of their legislation, as well as Ontario, Manitoba and a few other provinces," he said.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety said in an emailed statement to the CBC that it is aware of the industry's concerns.
"We are also aware that tow trucks are included in similar laws in provinces like Ontario and Quebec," said Elaine Bell, department spokesperson.
"We're examining what is going on in the jurisdictions to see what kind of best practices they are developing as well as challenges they are facing, if any."
Bell added
the department recommends that motorists encountering tow trucks on the
side of the road "approach at a slower speed and move to a passing lane
if possible and only if safe to do so."
"I've had a few close calls," said the 14-year veteran driver. "I haven't gotten hit yet, but they just don't slow down, they don't move over, they don't give you the courtesy whatsoever."
Dunphy is one of dozens of tow truck drivers, along with the Canadian Automobile Association, asking New Brunswick to revise a law requiring vehicles to move into the left lane when passing emergency and roadwork vehicles.
'Move over' law revision sought
New Brunswick passed the 'move over' law in 2013. It requires drivers to slow down and, where possible, move into the left lane when emergency vehicles are pulled off the road with their lights flashing.
Driver Tovey Clendenning is still recovering from injuries he sustained four months ago on a dead-end road on the north side of Fredericton when an SUV crashed into his truck, sending him flying eight feet through the air.
"When you are on the side of the road, side of the highway, you are watching all the time, your head's on a swivel," he said. "But you let your guard down on a dead-end street and then bang. Can't let your guard down, I guess."
I haven't gotten hit yet, but they just don't slow down, they don't move over, they don't give you the courtesy whatsoever.- Tow truck driver Brent DunphyClendenning suffered torn ligaments in his knee and leg, which was pinned between the two vehicles during the crash.
He was talking to a customer and had his back to the approaching SUV, he said.
The driver was blinded by the sun, and hit the front of the tow truck and then the door, behind which Clendenning stood.
"I got lucky. I could be in a wheelchair ... or worse."
Anyone who violates the provisions of the law will be fined almost $300 and lose three points off of their driver's licence.
He hopes changing the law will raise more awareness on roadside safety and remind people to pay more attention.
"If it saves one life, then we've won," he said.
Other provinces already made changes
Gary Howard, spokesperson for CAA Atlantic, said the association has tried for four years to get the government to revise the 'move over' law.
Because of the change of government two years ago, the association had to restart its discussion, he said.
"I think we're making some good progress now, so I expect this is something that we will see this year," he said.
"Newfoundland has it as part of their legislation, as well as Ontario, Manitoba and a few other provinces," he said.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety said in an emailed statement to the CBC that it is aware of the industry's concerns.
"We are also aware that tow trucks are included in similar laws in provinces like Ontario and Quebec," said Elaine Bell, department spokesperson.
"We're examining what is going on in the jurisdictions to see what kind of best practices they are developing as well as challenges they are facing, if any."
With files from Catherine Harrop
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