Photo Courtesy LethbridgeNewsNow

By Justin Goulet/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Alberta

Province extends blue light pilot program to protect roadside workers

Apr 18, 2023 | 5:19 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta is extending an initiative aimed at protecting roadside workers and drivers.

In 2022, the provincial government initiated a small trial allowing the optional use of flashing blue lights on snowplows, tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles contracted by the Government of Alberta. The goal was to increase their visibility and safety while working on highways in the province.

The province is extending this allowance for another five years. The decision to extend was based on feedback sent to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors by snowplow, tow truck and highway maintenance vehicle operators. With this extension, these vehicles can continue to display flashing blue and amber lights to show drivers when and where they’re working.

Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen said, “The original pilot projects were brought to increase visibility and improve safety of those working on our highways.”

He added, “We are extending these projects to make sure these important safety measures remain in place so those who work on our highways can go home safely to their families at the end of their shifts.”

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These latest changes are in addition to new rules under the Traffic Safety Amendment Act, which come into effect on September 1, 2023. Those new rules will require drivers to slow down and move over when passing highway workers.

The province added that with the extension of the project, the government will continue to assess whether legislative changes are needed to outline optimal light configurations to improve visibility and safety of roadside workers.