Drive safe: New road rule may combat roadside danger for millions of Aussies

Driving around Australia can be a fun experience, especially for seniors who love to go outdoors.

Yet, the recent rise of vehicular accidents has deterred many Aussies from enjoying the open road.

For motorists in one state, an existing rule has seen a new update that may make roads safer not just for drivers but also for other people on the road.


A new law will require motorists in Victoria to slow down to 40 km/h when passing by incident response vehicles.

This change was a significant extension of the existing rule, which already applies to police cars and ambulances with flashing lights.

The move came after years of campaigning by roadside worker groups and the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV).


compressed-roadside mechanic.jpeg
Roadside mechanics tending to emergency repairs may feel safer with the new rules. Image Credit: Pexels/Tim Samuel


Advocacy groups highlighted the dangers faced by those working on the side of busy roads.

According to a recent RACV survey, 83 per cent of roadside workers have experienced a near-miss with a passing vehicle at least once a week.

‘I had a vehicle that almost hit me, and I’ll tell you what, it was really scary,’ RACV Patrol Officer Johnny Dipietro shared his own harrowing experience.

Incident responder Steven Bevens echoed Mr Dipietro’s sentiment, stating close calls are ‘an everyday occurrence for our staff’ when they’re pulled over on the shoulder of a busy road.


Starting Tuesday, 1 July, drivers need to slow down to 40 km/h when nearing tow trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, and mechanic vehicles attending breakdowns.

Failure to slow down could result in a $346 fine, which could rise to $961 depending on the severity.

As of writing, the offence will not have any demerit points but may change in the future.

Victoria is one of the last states to introduce this rule, following the footsteps of South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, and the ACT.

This means the Northern Territory is the only Australian jurisdiction without a similar law.


It’s easy to forget how dangerous the roadside could be for workers.

Whether it’s a tow truck driver helping a stranded motorist or a mechanic changing a tyre, these workers are centimetres away from fast-moving traffic.

A moment’s inattention from a passing driver could have tragic consequences.

‘It is making sure they’re safe when they’re out there working on our bustling roads,’ Victoria’s Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne emphasised.

For seniors planning to travel interstate soon, similar rules apply in most other states and territories.

The specifics may vary, but the message is the same: slow down and give space to those working on the roadside.

Remember, a few extra seconds of caution could make all the difference.
Key Takeaways

  • From 1 July, Victorian motorists must slow down to 40 km/h when passing incident response vehicles, such as tow trucks and roadside assistance.
  • The rule aimed to improve the safety of roadside workers, following consistent reports of near misses at least once a week.
  • Drivers who fail to slow down face a standard fine of $346, with a maximum penalty of $961.
  • Northern Territory remains the only Australian jurisdiction without a similar law in place.
Have you or someone you know ever had a close call with an incident vehicle on the side of the road? Will this new rule make a difference? We would love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments section below.
 
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Fully support the " upgrade " of this Victorian Road Law regarding all Emergency Vehicles & their personnel, doing their fabulous service for stranded motorists or at worst, vehicle accidents.

Like many Victorians, I've used this " common sense " approach / requirement for years when approaching accident scenes, + pulled over as far left as possible on road, quickly parked kerbside or on a couple of occasions, carefully ran a Red Light to let Ambulances, Firies & Police through accordingly.

Abby22: You are " right on the money " when calling for ( all road laws & the dreaded applicable fines ) being the same, throughout Australia. It wouldn't take a lot of " co-operative effort " by our Governments' to engineer this change; with States & Territories administering / enforcing it, & collecting those 🤯 pug ugly fines.
 
I spend a lot of time, on a rural trips, sitting at roadworks, some with stop/go signs (human operated) and some with portable traffic lights. On one trip I had the opportunity to chat with the gentleman supervising a work site and he told me that someone doing these jobs is either killed or badly maimed on average once a week.
 
I remember, years ago, stopping at a green traffic light in heavy traffic, to let an ambulance with its siren blasting cross in front of me.
An elderly lady driving on the opposite side of the road began slowing down and ended up partially in the intersection. I saw her looking only in front and behind to see where the siren was coming from.

When she saw nothing, feeling vulnerable in the middle of the traffic, she panicked and quickly accelerated to speed out of the way, hitting the ambulance, which had now continued crossing the intersection.
They both landed up a few feet next to my car.

Fortunately, the ambulance was moving slowly and even though it got pretty damaged, no one was injured.
I still always wonder what happened to the patient they were meant to pick up.
 
Tbh if I saw someone at the side of the road changing a tyre, RACV or not I’d be slowing down
In a 100 kmh zone?

A workmate lost a leg when he was checking his suspension of his van near Bryon Bay in a 100 kmh zone.

An idiot woman veered her 4WD off the road to get around a right hand turning vehicle, losing traction in the gravel and resulting in hitting the van and knocking it off the jack. Gary lost his right leg, just above the knee.

He was parked about five metres off the road.
 
In a 100 kmh zone?

A workmate lost a leg when he was checking his suspension of his van near Bryon Bay in a 100 kmh zone.

An idiot woman veered her 4WD off the road to get around a right hand turning vehicle, losing traction in the gravel and resulting in hitting the van and knocking it off the jack. Gary lost his right leg, just above the knee.

He was parked about five metres off the road.
Well if she had slowed down maybe your friend might not have been injured. I’d definitely be slowing down if there was something out of the ordinary.
 
Yes I think it’s very important to enforce this rule. There are so many idiots who regularly ignore the rules and shoot through and if they hit anyone the results can mean life in a wheelchair or no life at all. It’s a result that can’t be undone if you are a victim
 
Exactly. But this story is about a “NEW” Law in VICTORIA which has been in place for well over a year now…
 

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