Victorian drivers face $961 fines for not slowing down past tow trucks, roadside support or incident units
Victorian drivers could soon be fined up to $961 if they don't slow down when passing tow trucks, breakdown support vehicles or incident response units.
From July 1, drivers will need to slow to 40km/h when passing these vehicles — in addition to emergency services and VicRoads incident response vehicles — when they are stationary or moving slowly with lights flashing or alarms sounding.
The expanded rule will apply to Victoria Police, ambulances, fire services, the State Emergency Service, accident and breakdown towing, roadside assistance, incident response services and escort vehicles.
The Victorian government announced the change on April 30, acknowledging the risks additional roadside workers face on the job.
'Incident response, roadside assistance and breakdown towing vehicles are there for us when we are in need – this change acknowledges the risks they take and our commitment to keeping them safe,' Roads Minister Melissa Horne said.
Under the new rule, drivers must slow to 40km/h when passing emergency, incident response or roadside assistance vehicles that are stationary or moving below 10km/h with flashing red, blue, magenta or yellow lights, or with an alarm sounding.
Vehicles are expected to pass the scene at 40km/h and be able to stop if directed, even on high-speed roads like freeways.
Drivers can only return to the legal speed limit once they've passed the scene and reached a safe distance, which may vary depending on the situation.
'You should be aware of the individual circumstances of each incident and drive accordingly,' the road rule advises.
In emergencies, law enforcement and emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, or police are not required to follow these road rules.
However, when these vehicles are moving with their lights and/or sirens on, drivers must give way.
Drivers in Victoria face fines of up to $961 if they don't comply with the new law.
A 2024 survey by the Road Worker Safety Working Group, involving more than 1100 road workers, found almost one in four had witnessed or been involved in a near miss with a member of the public.
Nearly one in 10 said they had been hit by a vehicle in a collision involving a road worker.
Victoria is the last state or territory in Australia to introduce these expanded protections.
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7NEWS
5 days ago
- 7NEWS
Victorian drivers face $961 fines for not slowing down past tow trucks, roadside support or incident units
Victorian drivers could soon be fined up to $961 if they don't slow down when passing tow trucks, breakdown support vehicles or incident response units. From July 1, drivers will need to slow to 40km/h when passing these vehicles — in addition to emergency services and VicRoads incident response vehicles — when they are stationary or moving slowly with lights flashing or alarms sounding. The expanded rule will apply to Victoria Police, ambulances, fire services, the State Emergency Service, accident and breakdown towing, roadside assistance, incident response services and escort vehicles. The Victorian government announced the change on April 30, acknowledging the risks additional roadside workers face on the job. 'Incident response, roadside assistance and breakdown towing vehicles are there for us when we are in need – this change acknowledges the risks they take and our commitment to keeping them safe,' Roads Minister Melissa Horne said. Under the new rule, drivers must slow to 40km/h when passing emergency, incident response or roadside assistance vehicles that are stationary or moving below 10km/h with flashing red, blue, magenta or yellow lights, or with an alarm sounding. Vehicles are expected to pass the scene at 40km/h and be able to stop if directed, even on high-speed roads like freeways. Drivers can only return to the legal speed limit once they've passed the scene and reached a safe distance, which may vary depending on the situation. 'You should be aware of the individual circumstances of each incident and drive accordingly,' the road rule advises. In emergencies, law enforcement and emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, or police are not required to follow these road rules. However, when these vehicles are moving with their lights and/or sirens on, drivers must give way. Drivers in Victoria face fines of up to $961 if they don't comply with the new law. A 2024 survey by the Road Worker Safety Working Group, involving more than 1100 road workers, found almost one in four had witnessed or been involved in a near miss with a member of the public. Nearly one in 10 said they had been hit by a vehicle in a collision involving a road worker. Victoria is the last state or territory in Australia to introduce these expanded protections.
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Revheads in retreat as Chapel Street speed limit slashed to 30km/h
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