Grande Prairie – Wapiti MLA Wayne Drysdale has proposed legislation that would allow Alberta tow truck operators to use white and blue warning lights. In his role as transportation critic for the United Conservative Party, Drysdale says the “common-sense change” would make the trucks more visible, and their operators and other drivers safer.
“Restricting tow trucks to just amber lights makes them indistinguishable from road signs and maintenance-related vehicles, especially in the dark,” he explains. “By adding blue and/or white lights, it will alert drivers to the fact that the vehicle up ahead is a tow truck and that operators are likely to be working outside the vehicle. This adds an extra layer of safety for what can be an extremely dangerous job.”
In a release, the UCP notes the Saskatchewan government passed similar legislation this spring after a tow truck operated was killed on the job in a crash.
Bill 215 was introduced as an amendment to the Traffic Safety Amendment Act in the legislature Wednesday. The move is supported by the Alberta Motor Association.