Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude—but it’s also one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. With more vehicles on the road, roadside workers face an even greater risk while helping drivers in need. Whether it’s a tow truck operator, police officer, paramedic, or highway maintenance crew, their safety depends on all of us remembering one important law: Slow Down, Move Over.
In Ontario (and across most of North America), drivers are required by law to slow down and, if it’s safe to do so, move over a lane when approaching an emergency or roadside vehicle with flashing lights. This includes:
The rule is simple: if you see flashing lights ahead, slow down and move over.
For more details on how to move over safely, check out our guide on what to do when you see flashing lights on the road.
According to traffic safety experts, long weekends—especially Thanksgiving—are among the busiest times on Ontario roads. Families travel to visit loved ones, highways become congested, and the chances of collisions or breakdowns increase. That means more roadside calls, and more workers exposed to speeding traffic.
Unfortunately, roadside workers are injured or killed every year simply because drivers fail to give them space. A few extra seconds of caution can prevent tragedy.
Here are simple but life-saving steps every driver can take this Thanksgiving:
As you head out to enjoy turkey, pumpkin pie, and time with family, remember the roadside workers who may be spending their holiday keeping others safe. By obeying the Slow Down, Move Over law, you’re helping ensure they get home safely to their families, too.
Let’s make this Thanksgiving weekend a safe one for everyone—on and off the road.
Need help on the road? Our Roadside Assistance team is always just a call away.