Whether you're dropping off a friend, experiencing a breakdown on the freeway, involved in an accident, being approached by emergency vehicles, or being pulled over by the police, pulling over involves more than meets the eye.
Depending on the situation, Ontario has different rules regarding proper signalling, when to use your hazards and where to stop. Our team used Ontario's emergency-driving handbook, guidance for specific driving situations, emergency-vehicle rules, and Toronto Police Service traffic-stop guidance to learn more.
How Should You Pull Over Safely in Ontario?
Hazard lights are to be used by disabled or unusually slow-moving vehicles and in situations that may pose a hazard to other motorists. Do not use them instead of a turn signal in normal driving situations. If an emergency vehicle is approaching or your vehicle has broken down, follow the applicable procedure.
Otherwise:
- Find a safe place to stop with ample clearance.
- Check your mirrors, signal early and check your blind spot.
- Ease off the accelerator and steer steadily to the curb or another safe stopping place.
- Stop completely and set the parking brake.
Choosing a Safe Location
Where possible, get out of traffic to allow room for other vehicles and emergency vehicles. Never stop in areas where stopping is prohibited unless it is an emergency.
Never stop on a driveway, in a bike lane, on a bridge, in a tunnel, or at a highway or railway crossing. Also avoid stopping on top of hills, blind curves, or at or near intersections.
Drop off passengers on the curb side of the car. Check for cyclists before opening car doors. When it is dark or hard to see, try to stop where it is lighted if practical. However, don’t keep driving an unsafe vehicle.
Read More: Read the Guide to Safe Night Driving
If Your Vehicle Breaks Down on a Freeway
- At the first sign of trouble, turn on your hazard lights, take your foot off the accelerator, slow down and steer to the closest shoulder. Do not wait for the vehicle to stall in a travel lane.
- Once on the shoulder, turn off the ignition, lock the doors and stay in your car until help arrives, unless staying there would be dangerous.
- If you get out of the car, always use the side away from traffic and only when it is safe to do so.
- The handbook advises against raising the hood.
- Call for roadside assistance. Tell the operator the highway and direction of travel, the closest exit or kilometre marker, and describe your car and where it is on the shoulder.
- Set out warning devices, such as reflective triangles, only if you can do so without entering live traffic.
- Never place flares close to spilled gasoline, a burning vehicle or another ignition source.
After a Collision
Call 911 if anyone is injured or if there is a fire, fuel leak, another danger, or a disabled vehicle blocking a traffic lane.
If everyone is uninjured and the vehicles are drivable, move them out of traffic as far as possible. Ontario's handbook says you must report a collision to police when someone is injured or vehicle or property damage exceeds $5,000. Other reporting duties may apply, so follow current police instructions for your location and circumstances.
Collect information. Take pictures of the vehicle location and damage if it is safe to do so. Exchange information, including who is driving, who owns the vehicle, insurance information and licence plates. Record witness information, the tow company and where your vehicle will be dropped off. Notify your insurer or broker right away.
Read More: See How to Report a Car Accident in Ontario
Approaching vs. Stopped Emergency Vehicles
If an emergency vehicle with lights or a siren is approaching, slow down, signal, pull to the right out of an intersection and stop. On a highway, do not drive on or block the shoulder because responders may use it.
If you are already in an intersection, proceed through it, then pull off the road to the right and stop.
When you pass a stopped tow truck or emergency vehicle with flashing lights, slow down and use caution. If it is safe to do so and two or more lanes are going in your direction, drivers must leave a lane of space between their vehicle and the stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck.
What to Do After Pulling Over for Police
Ontario drivers should pull as far to the right as they can safely and come to a complete stop. Stay in your vehicle and wait for the police officer.
If you must exit the vehicle or reach for documents or personal belongings, wait until the officer arrives and tell the officer what you intend to do.