Efforts continue to prevent another tragedy at the side of a highway, involving an RCMP officer.
In the Nova Scotia Legislature this week, Opposition Progressive Conservative MLA Karla MacFarlene introduced a private members bill called Frankie’s Law. It would make September 12th First Responder Road Safety Awareness Day.
“PCs want more awareness of NS ‘move over’ law” https://t.co/3TwGOf5w11 #nspoli
— Nova Scotia PC Party (@nspc) March 6, 2018
September 12th is when RCMP Constable Francis Deschenes was killed while helping a motorist at the side of the highway in Memramcook.
Moncton Northwest Conservative MLA Ernie Steeves is also calling for change. He introduced a motion in January, that calls for tow trucks to be included in a move over law, along with an education campaign and billboards.
“We can’t let this happen again. it is an easy fix. We started this process back in January on behalf of the widow of Frankie and it should absolutely happen,” Steeves says.
The move over law requires motorists to slow down and move over when passing emergency vehicles.
“I have talked to a number of police officers, and other emergency responders. The officers told me the two most dangerous things they do are domestic calls and stopping people at the side of the road.”
Steeves motion will be debated next Thursday in the provincial legislature.
