(1) Where a police officer considers it reasonably necessary,

(a) to ensure orderly movement of traffic;

(b) to prevent injury or damage to persons or property; or

(c) to permit proper action in an emergency,

he or she may direct traffic according to his or her discretion, despite the provisions of this Part, and every person shall obey his or her directions. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 134 (1).

Highway closing

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a police officer may close a highway or any part thereof to vehicles by posting or causing to be posted signs to that effect, or placing or causing to be placed traffic control devices as prescribed in the regulations. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 134 (2).

(3) Where signs or traffic control devices have been posted or placed under subsection (2), no person shall drive or operate a vehicle on the closed highway or part thereof in intentional disobedience of the signs or traffic control devices. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 134 (3).

Exception to subs. (3)

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a road service vehicle, an ambulance, a fire department vehicle, a public utility emergency vehicle, a police vehicle or a motor vehicle driven by a firefighter, as defined in subsection 1 (1) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, who is performing his or her duties. 2005, c. 26, Sched. A, s. 19.

(5) Every person using a highway closed to traffic in accordance with this section does so at the persons own risk and the Crown or road authority having jurisdiction and control of the highway is not liable for any damage sustained by a person using the highway so closed to traffic. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 134 (5).

(6) The Minister may make regulations providing for the posting of signs and the placing of traffic control devices on any highway or any type or class thereof for the purposes of this section, and prescribing the types of signs and traffic control devices. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 134 (6).