In September 2018 a new rule was introduced as a trial where motorists were to slow to 40klms when passing stationary emergency vehicles with red and blue lights in flash mode. This trial had the obvious good intentions to keep emergency service workers and drivers safe at the scenes of incidents or accidents and to avoid any further traffic incidents occurring.
The new rule however had very mixed reactions, with motorists, NSW Police and NRMA all voicing concern that this rule may have been creating further dangers, in particular on highways where speeds were over 90klm per hour. Suddenly breaking to reduce speeds from 110klm to 40klm per hour in a very short space to avoid a fine and loss of points was in itself dangerous.
After a full evaluation of the trial the road rule has now officially been changed from September 2019.
When on roads with speed limits of 80klm or less it is law to slow to 40klms per hour to pass stationery emergency services with lights in flash. However on roads with speed limits over 90klm an hour motorists are required to slow down safely to a speed that is reasonable for the circumstances.
The rule has also been widened to include tow truck drivers and road-sided assistance crews (NRMA/RACQ etc) where is many cases lights are yellow. It also protects pedestrians with motorists having to give way at the site to all people moving about.
For a full report of these rule changes please head to:
https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/slow-down-and-give-space/index.html
Creating safe and competent drivers and keeping you up to date!
Len
