Paul Ryan, Chris Walker and Kane Lines from Freer’s Panel Works.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Drivers will soon have to slow down for more than just emergency vehicles.
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And for many workers, the forthcoming road rule change can’t come soon enough.
Freer’s Panel Works towing and breakdown manager Christopher Walker said all roadside workers wanted was to “feel more safe out on the roads”.
“The roads are pretty horrendous as it is,” he said.
“There’s been way too many near misses.
“I think a lot of people will see that it’s just a yellow flashing light, that it’s no different to traffic control.
“We all deserve to go home to our families as much as everybody else.”
The situation is about to change.
Currently, Road Rule 79A, which requires drivers and riders to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency or enforcement vehicles with flashing red, blue, magenta, or yellow lights, only applies to police vehicles, emergency vehicles, enforcement vehicles, and VicRoads Incident Response Service vehicles.
It will be expanded from July 1 to include accident and breakdown towing, roadside assistance and all incident response service vehicles.
Mr Walker said the change was “a big win”.
“It’s comforting that this rule will be in place and can be enforced on others,” he said.
“Hopefully, more people can be aware that (they need to slow down for) any flashing light out there.”
Freer’s sees at least one near miss a week while towing.
Mr Walker puts much of this down to driver distraction.
He said “main straight roads” and areas with higher speed limits were major hot spots, especially the Goulburn Valley Hwy and the Midland Hwy, with their wire barriers.
“There’s no room for us to move over as much as we can to get off the road,” Mr Walker said.
“Half the time we’re already sticking out over a lane, and people just don’t see us until the last minute.
“They just don’t have the care factor, or they’re still driving in the same lane that we’re in.
“(People need to) slow down, move over and just give us room.”
Freer’s was on site after a car turned over past Tallygaroopna on the Goulburn Valley Hwy near McKenzie Rd.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The changes come after a review found strong support to expand the rule to better protect first responders.
Victorian Roads and Road Minister Safety Melissa Horne said the rule change acknowledged the risks first responders took and showed commitment to keeping them safe.
RACV general manager of automotive services Makarla Cole said the change aligned Victoria with other states and addressed a key safety gap.
“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 as other responders,” she said.
“RACV is pleased ... that Victorians will soon slow down when passing any incident response vehicle, including RACV patrol vans.
“I am sure every driver ... will be pleased to know that the Victorian Government is now protecting these essential responders in their workplace, and their customers.”
If caught breaking these rules, drivers can be fined up to $961; however, no demerit points will apply.
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