A Saskatchewan RCMP officer narrowly avoided being struck Saturday after a semi collided with a parked police cruiser during a traffic stop on Highway 1.
The incident happened Feb. 28 at approximately 3:45 p.m. in the eastbound lanes near Grand Coulee, Sask.
Police said the officer had completed a traffic stop and was walking back to his vehicle when he saw a semi approaching at highway speed in the same lane. The semi did not move into the passing lane.
To avoid being hit, the officer ran toward the ditch. The semi struck the parked police vehicle moments later. The cruiser was significantly damaged.
The officer was not physically injured.
At the time of the collision, the cruiser’s emergency lights were activated. The officer was in full uniform and the vehicle was parked properly to conduct the traffic stop safely.
The semi remained at the scene. The driver reported no injuries.
RCMP issued two tickets – one for driving without due care and attention and one for driving without reasonable consideration for others.
“Had this incident happened only moments earlier, the outcome could have been far more tragic, which is a terrifying thought,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Sauve of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services.
“It is crucial that drivers remember to slow down to 60 km/h when passing emergency vehicles that have their lights activated, such as EMS, fire, and police vehicles, as well as tow trucks and highway workers. Whenever possible, move into the passing lane to give first responders as much room as you can to do their work safely. Remember that abiding by these laws and guidelines may be the difference in whether or not a first responder makes it home to their family at the end of their shift.”
Under Saskatchewan law, drivers must slow to 60 km/h when passing emergency vehicles with flashing lights on highways with speed limits of 80 km/h or higher.
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