A campaign has been relaunched to urge drivers to slow down to 40km/h when passing a stationary or slow moving enforcement or emergency service vehicle with its flashing lights turned on.
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The campaign - 'Flashing Lights: Pass at 40' - was relaunched on Monday, June 8 to highlight the importance of slowing down for first responders working on the roadside.
Road rule 79A was introduced in July 2017 in order to improve the safety of emergency service and enforcement personnel while at work.
The basis of the introduction of the law is that if a vulnerable road user such as a pedestrian, or first responder working on the roadside, is hit by a car at a speed of more than 40km/h, it is rarely survivable.
The campaign being relaunched comes after four Victoria Police officers were killed by a truck while impounding a car on the Eastern Freeway in April.
The law requires drivers to slow to 40km/h when passing a stationary or slow moving emergency or enforcement vehicle with flashing red, blue or magenta lights.
Despite it being in effect for almost three years, new data reveals many drivers ignore the rule. The research, commissioned by Road Safety Victoria, found that while about 80 per cent of drivers were aware of it, only 38 per cent decided to slow to 40km/h when passing a vehicle with flashing lights on a high speed road.
Before slowing from a high speed down to 40km/h, drivers should always check their mirrors to ensure vehicles behind them are at a safe braking distance so they can gradually slow to pass enforcement or emergency personnel safely.
The campaign includes a video featuring police, firefighters and other emergency service workers explaining why slowing to 40km/h when passing keeps them safe.
Ballarat Highway Patrol's Acting Senior Sergeant Stuart Gale said it was timely and necessary for the campaign to be relaunched. He said the highway patrol's job description was to work on high speed roads and police, like everyone else, deserve to be safe at work.
"We don't see compliance from the public with this law and the public needs to take it seriously because it is a serious matter," he said.
It's up to road users to be aware of their surroundings and to drive according to the conditions and if there are road workers, police or any emergency services on the side of the road, they need to address their speed appropriately.
- Acting Senior Sergeant Stuart Gale
"It's up to road users to be aware of their surroundings and to drive according to the conditions and if there are road workers, police or any emergency services on the side of the road, they need to address their speed appropriately."
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Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville said emergency service workers put their lives on the line every day by working in high-risk environments - including on the roadside - to keep Victorians safe.
"Now it's time for everyone else to do their bit, slow to 40 when passing an emergency service vehicle and keep our emergency service workers safe," she said.
To learn more about the campaign and the Road Rule 79A visit, vicroads.vic.gov.au/flashinglights.
