Roadside Worker Protection and Tow Lights

Summary#

• This bill updates Nova Scotia’s Motor Vehicle Act to improve safety around roadside work and towing.

• It adds provincial and municipal work vehicles to the list of vehicles that get “slow down and move over” protection.

• It also lets tow trucks and service/repair trucks use flashing red and amber lights when helping a broken-down vehicle or clearing a crash.

• Key changes:

  • Provincial department employees’ vehicles and municipal employees’ vehicles count as protected roadside vehicles when on duty.
  • Tow, service, and repair trucks (equipped to lift/tow) may use flashing red and amber lights in all directions while actively assisting on the highway.
  • Clarifies these lights can be used when helping a disabled vehicle or towing from a crash or breakdown site.

What it means for you#

• Drivers

  • You must slow down and move over for more types of roadside vehicles, not just police, fire, and ambulances. This now includes provincial and city/town work vehicles when staff are doing their jobs.
  • You will see tow and service trucks using red and amber flashing lights when they are helping at a breakdown or crash. Treat these scenes with extra care.
  • Failing to slow down and move over can lead to tickets and fines.

• Tow truck and roadside service operators

  • You may use flashing red and amber lights, visible in all directions, when you are actively assisting a disabled vehicle or towing from an accident.
  • This can make you more visible to drivers and may reduce near-misses at roadside scenes.
  • If your trucks do not already have red/amber capability, you may choose to upgrade equipment.

• Provincial and municipal employees working roadside

  • Your work vehicles are now clearly covered by the “slow down, move over” protections when you are on duty.
  • This should improve driver compliance and safety at work sites.

Expenses#

• At a glance: Government costs should be minimal; some private operators may face equipment costs.

• Government

  • Little to no new spending expected. Rules mainly clarify protections and permitted lights.

• Businesses

  • Tow and service companies may choose to add or reprogram lights to include red and amber, which can cost money.
  • No mandate to buy new trucks; changes apply when trucks are “equipped” and actively on scene.

• Enforcement

  • Existing traffic enforcement covers these rules; no large new costs are likely.

Proponents' View#

• Expands “slow down, move over” to cover more roadside workers, reducing crashes and close calls.
• Lets tow and service trucks use red and amber lights so drivers notice them sooner, especially in bad weather or at night.
• Brings the law in line with how drivers already respond to emergency scenes, making expectations clearer.
• Helps protect municipal and provincial crews who fix roads, manage traffic, or do utilities work at the roadside.

Opponents' View#

• Allowing red lights on non-emergency vehicles could confuse some drivers about who has priority.
• Businesses may face costs to change lighting equipment, which can be hard for small operators.
• More flashing lights on the road could lead to overuse, distracting drivers if not managed carefully.
• Some drivers may still be unsure when exactly they must slow down and move over, risking uneven enforcement.