Dad’s plea to adopt safer speed limits
MOTORISTS will be required to slow to 40km/h when passing roadside assistance vehicles as part of a government crackdown on road safety.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the law, which currently applied to emergency vehicles, would be extended and penalties enhanced.
“As part of National Road Safety Week, I am pleased to announce that on August 1, the new rule will come into force meaning roadside assistance workers conducting call-out or breakdown assistance, towing, battery replacement and other on-road support services, will now also have this protection,” Mr Ferguson said.
“It’s important we all slow down to protect those who protect and assist us, and whose workplace is the road.
“Just like the current rule, which requires drivers to safely slow to 40 km/h when passing any stationary or slow-moving emergency vehicle with red, blue or magenta flashing lights, now roadside assistance vehicles with flashing yellow lights will also get the same protection.”
Safer Australian Roads and Highways president Peter Frazer lost his 23-year-old daughter Sarah when an inattentive truck driver ploughed into her and a tow truck driver in country NSW in 2012.
Mr Frazer called on people to take a personal pledge to drive safely.
“People want to have their loved ones get home safe every day, without exception,” he said.
“So this National Road Safety Week, let’s focus on ensuring that by not speeding, by not being distracted at the wheel, by not drink-driving.
“If we start to look at the fatal five and say, I’m going to do that, I’m going to abide by that and then go to roadsafety week.com.au and you take a pledge. There’s no email addresses. It’s you making a personal commitment to say, ‘I’m going to look after everyone. I’m going to drive so others survive’.”
RACT chief executive Mark Mugnaioni said extending the law to cover roadside assist workers was a great contribution to road safety.
“We attend more than 60,000 jobs every year, of which about 12,000 are in high-speed environments,” Mr Mugnaioni said.
“And it’s absolutely critical to protect not only our own staff, but also those members who we are there to save by the side of the road. It’s a fantastic addition to the legislation and one that we’re delighted to see at the RACT.”
Tasmania’s road toll in 2022 to Tuesday was 26 fatalities.