Improving Tow Truck Safety in Alberta

Commitment

A New Standard for Alberta’s Highways

At Action Towing, our mission is to ensure every driver—both our customers and our operators—reaches their destination safely. However, the road is a dangerous workplace. Every year, roadside responders across North America are injured or killed because they simply weren’t seen in time. We believe that professional towing in Edmonton requires more than just high-quality equipment; it requires a legislative shift toward better visibility.

Currently, Alberta’s tow trucks primarily use amber lights, which are often lost in the “visual noise” of construction zones or snow-clogged highways. We are a driving force behind the push for Bill 215: The Traffic Safety (Tow Trucks) Amendment Act. This vital change would allow tow trucks to utilize blue and white warning lights. These colors are scientifically proven to cut through Alberta’s harshest blizzards and command immediate driver attention, signaling a “Slow Down, Move Over” response that amber lights alone cannot achieve.

We aren’t just waiting for change; we are advocating for it. By integrating elite safety training with active legislative support, we aim to transform Alberta’s highways into a safer environment for everyone. Our team is dedicated to the “Move Over” law, and we invite you to stand with us in making these life-saving beacons a reality for every roadside hero in our province.

Tow truck safety
Advocacy

Lend Your Voice to the Movement

Towing operators are the unsung first responders of our roads, often working just inches away from high-speed traffic in sub-zero temperatures. You can help us bridge the gap between “introduced legislation” and “life-saving action.”

By contacting the Minister of Transportation, you are advocating for the mandatory use of blue and white safety lighting—a change that has already proven to save lives in other jurisdictions. It only takes a moment to support the men and women who keep Alberta moving.

Reach Out Electronically

Minister of Transportation: transportation.minister@gov.ab.ca

Legislative Office: edmonton.highlandsnorwood@assembly.ab.ca

Contact by Phone

Minister’s Office: 780-427-2080

Constituency Office: 780-414-0682

Send via Mail

  • Honourable Minister of Transportation
  • Office of the Minister
  • 320 Legislature Building
  • 10800 - 97 Avenue
  • Edmonton, AB
  • T5K 2B6
Unity

Together for a Safer Alberta

Your support is the catalyst for change. Whether you send a quick email or share this page, you are helping us build a culture of safety and respect for everyone working on Alberta’s shoulders.

Safety & Regulation FAQs

Answers to common questions about Alberta’s towing laws.

Bill 215 is a proposed amendment to the Traffic Safety Act that would permit tow trucks to use blue and white flashing lights. Currently, we are restricted to amber lights. We support this because blue and white lights offer superior contrast against snow and night-time conditions, significantly increasing our visibility to approaching motorists.

Yes, absolutely. In Alberta, you are legally required to slow down to 60 km/h (or the posted limit if it is lower) when passing a stopped tow truck with its lights flashing. If there is an adjacent lane available, you must move over to provide a safe “buffer zone” for the operator.

Failing to slow down or move over for a roadside worker is a serious offense. In Alberta, speeding fines are doubled when passing emergency vehicles and tow trucks. Additionally, drivers can face significant demerit points on their license, reflecting the high risk their behavior poses to human life.

Our operators undergo rigorous Traffic Incident Management (TIM) training. This includes specialized “defensive parking” techniques where the truck is positioned to act as a physical shield between the operator and oncoming traffic, as well as high-visibility apparel and lighting protocols.

If you are stranded on the shoulder, yes! Keeping your hazard lights on helps the tow truck driver find you and alerts other motorists to a stationary hazard. Once our truck arrives, we take over scene lighting with professional-grade strobes to ensure the entire area is a protected work zone.

Need a tow? Action Towing is here 24/7 with fast, professional service. We’ve got you covered!