RCMP vehicle hit by passing truck during traffic stop

An Alberta RCMP vehicle was hit by a passing truck while conducting a traffic stop near High River on Monday.

At about 11:30 a.m., an officer with the RCMP's traffic unit conducted a traffic stop in the southbound lane of Highway 2, near Highway 540, according to a news release.

The officer was driving an unmarked RCMP vehicle and was parked behind another vehicle that had been pulled over. They said while the officer was in his car writing a ticket, a passing Ford F-350 struck the vehicle, knocking off its side mirror.

No injuries were reported.

"This officer is very lucky," said Sgt Darrin Turnbull with Alberta RCMP.

"This was inches away from being a terrible tragedy. Drivers need to pay attention while they are driving and follow the law when passing any stopped roadside vehicle with lights activated."

The truckdid not move over or slow down prior to the impact, according to RCMP, who said the vehicle'semergency lights were turned on and road conditions were dry and clear.

The driver of the Ford F-350 remained at the scene. Police say the drivertold themhe did not see the vehicle or its emergency lights.

A spokesperson for the RCMP said the driver of the Ford F-350 was issued a violation ticket in relation to the incident.

The RCMP are reminding Alberta drivers to slow down and move over to the far lane of traffic when passing vehicles that have pulled over, including police,ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks and maintenance trucks.