A one-day blitz on Feb. 22, by BC Highway Patrol officers stationed in Keremeos along Highway 3 resulted in 10 tickets and almost two dozen warnings.

Officers took to the road to remind drivers that February is dedicated to the Slow Down and Move Over campaign, which raises awareness of the responsibility under the Motor Vehicle Act to move out of the way and slow down for emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

Failing to slow down and move over comes with a fine of $173 and three penalty points on your license. 

Within a three-hour period, officers along the highway west of Princeton issued eight tickets to drivers for failing to slow down and move over, and issued 14 warnings to other drivers. 

In addition, officers issued two tickets and six more warnings for speeding. One driver had his vehicle impounded and received a $368 fine for excessive speeding. 

Sgt. Brian Evans, with Keremeos BC Highway Patrol, said in a press release that the safety of emergency personnel, tow truck operators and other official vehicles with their lights active is paramount.

In addition to moving out of the way of emergency vehicles, drivers are also required to slow down when passing any stopped official vehicle.