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With the May long weekend just around the corner and a busy cottage country season not far behind, thousands of Manitobans will soon be packing up and hitting the road — destined for any of the many beautiful summer destinations in our province.

As many more cars will be taking to the highways, CAA Manitoba would like to remind everyone to take extra care when approaching tow trucks stopped on the side of the road.

The plain fact is, tow truck drivers run the risk of being injured on the job everyday. We hear stories about close calls: from a driver being grazed by a speeding flatbed truck, to another being clipped by a mirror during a routine tire change on a busy city street.

That's exactly why CAA Manitoba launched the "Move Over Manitoba" campaign. The province listened, agreeing to extend to motorists the same rules of the road when passing tow trucks, which already apply to emergency and police vehicles.

This new legislation is currently before the Manitoba legislature. It will require all motorists to change lanes away from tow trucks if travelling on a multi-lane roadway and to reduce their speed, proceeding only when it's safe to do so.

Tow truck drivers come to the rescue of motorists everyday. They deserve room to do their work — just as other first responders do. The bill hasn't passed yet, but that doesn't mean you should wait to change your driving habits.

So please, Manitoba on the road this long weekend or any other time for that matter, slow down, move over and give tow truck drivers the room they need to work safely.

Liz Peters

Public and Government Affairs Manager

CAA Manitoba