Slow down around flashing lights
Published | 17 May 2023
As part of National Road Safety Week, we're urging motorists to slow down around emergency vehicles and roadside patrols to ensure the safety of all road users.
This important message comes as we work to protect the roadside patrol teams and other emergency service personnel who are often exposed to potential dangers while attending to incidents on Tasmania's roads.
"Our roadside assistance teams, along with emergency service workers, are often in vulnerable positions when attending to incidents on our roads," RACT Group CEO Mark Mugnaioni said.
"We urge motorists to slow down and give these professionals the space they need to carry out their important work safely."
Under Tasmania’s road rules, motorists must slow down to 40 km/h when passing stationary or slow-moving emergency or roadside assistance vehicles displaying red, blue, or yellow flashing lights on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or less.
On roads with speed limits over 80 km/h, drivers must slow down to a safe and reasonable speed, while maintaining a safe distance from the emergency or roadside assistance vehicle.
We'd like to emphasise that adhering to these guidelines is crucial to ensure the safety of roadside workers, emergency personnel, and those being assisted. "By slowing down around those working on Tasmania’s roads, drivers can play a significant role in keeping Tasmania's roads safe for everyone," Mr Mugnaioni added.
As part of their commitment to road safety, we're encouraging drivers to familiarise themselves with the rules and take extra caution when approaching emergency and roadside assistance vehicles.
"National Road Safety Week is an important reminder for all of us to do our part in protecting the lives of those who work tirelessly to keep us safe on the roads," Mr Mugnaioni said.
"We are aware that in the past century, 6,060 Tasmanians have tragically lost their lives on our roads, and we are currently witnessing a concerning increase in road trauma across our state. It is imperative that we all take collective responsibility to reduce these devastating figures."
We remain dedicated to promoting road safety and supporting the Tasmanian community. By encouraging everyone to participate in National Road Safety Week, share the message of road safety, and work together to create a safer driving environment, we're aiming to reduce the number of tragic incidents on Tasmania's roads.
For more information on slowing down for emergency and roadside assistance vehicles, read our Slow down for yellow too article and the Road Safety Advisory Council's campaign page.