The Allan Labor Government is giving roadside workers greater protections whilst helping our drivers - whether they be responding to a crash, a vehicle breakdown or a life-threatening situation.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melisssa Horne announced that from 1 July, road rule 79A will be expanded to further improve road safety for vehicles passing vehicle incidents.
Road rule 79A was first introduced in 2017 for motorists passing police, emergency, enforcement and VicRoads Incident Response Service vehicles and were required to:
- slow to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency or enforcement vehicles with flashing red, blue, magenta, or yellow lights, and
- approach stationary emergency services or enforcement vehicles at a speed that will allow them to stop safely if required and not increase their speed until a safe distance from the scene.
Yesterday's expansion will 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.
The 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.
For more information about road rule 79A please visit transport.vic.gov.au/road-rules-and-safety/law-enforcement-and-emergency-vehicles.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
"Today's changes acknowledge the vital role that incident response, roadside assistance and breakdown towing vehicles play on our 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."
As stated by Head of Road Safety Victoria Marcelo Vidales
"Speed is one of the major contributors to road trauma and this change is a vital step in ensuring all roadside assistance workers are kept safe."
"We're all responsible for safety on our roads and it is so important that we all pay attention and adhere to speed limits so that everyone gets home safely at the end of the day."
