Roadside workers now have greater protection when helping other road users, under laws introduced by the Victorian Government.
Drivers were already required to slow down when passing police, emergency, enforcement and VicRoads Incident Response Service vehicles.
With the latest changes the rules now apply to accident and breakdown towing, roadside assistance and all incident response service vehicles.
These changes follow a review into the road rule which considered the scope of the rule, compliance rates and safety benefits.
A review of road rule 79A found that there was a strong case to expand the scope of vehicles to increase safety – not only for those who respond to road accidents but also members of the public involved or passing an incident.
Bike riders will welcome these rules as during road side emergencies they are often required to join the general traffic flow where careless drivers can put riders at risk.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said the changes acknowledge the vital role that incident response, roadside assistance and breakdown towing vehicles play on the road network – risking their own safety every day to keep us moving.
“It is so important that we slow to 40km/h past responding vehicles – for our own safety and the safety of the workers helping us in vulnerable and potentially dangerous situations,” she said.
Head of Road Safety Victoria Marcelo Vidales said: “Speed is one of the major contributors to road trauma and this change is a vital step in ensuring all roadside workers are kept safe.”
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.