Drivers in Victoria will have to slow down when passing roadside help crews. Photo: RACV
Next week, drivers in Victoria will have to slow down to 40 kilometres per hour when passing any roadside vehicle with flashing lights.
The change, that takes effect from Tuesday, July 1 (the new financial year), means the slowdown rule will extend to any roadside assistance vehicle.
Currently, it applies only to police and emergency response vehicles.
The move has been welcomed by the RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) and its roadside assistance team after a two-year campaign to change Road Rule 79A.
RACV General Manager Automotive Services Makarla Cole is urging drivers to be aware of the rule change so they create the safest environment possible for roadside assistance and towing crews.
“We’re grateful that the State Government has made this change to improve the safety outcomes and working conditions of roadside and incident response workers,” she says.
Since 2017, Victorian drivers have had to slow down to 40kmh when passing stationary emergency services vehicles displaying red or blue flashing lights.
This rule has now been expanded to include:
- Accident towing vehicles
- Breakdown towing services
- Roadside assistance operators
- Peninsula Link response vehicles
- EastLink and Transurban response vehicles
“Now that we have had an important and much-needed update to 79A, it’s up to Victorians to do their part and ensure these vital workers can do their jobs without fear of harm and get home to their families safely,” Cole says.
The law change brings Victoria into line with Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia who also have slowdown rules for roadside workers, she points out.
She had earlier highlighted that emergency roadside workers and tow truck drivers are often the first, and only, responders to an incident or breakdown and are exposed to the same risks faced by other responders such as police and paramedics.
Failing to heed the new rule may attract a $961 fine, the RACV says.
For more information, visit the RACV website.
