Drivers in NSW will face hefty penalties for not slowing down in the vicinity of all stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights, after the NSW Government finally announced the new ‘slow down’ laws.
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As of September 2018, drivers will be forced to slow down to 40km/h when police, ambulance, fire, SES or rescue vehicles are stopped and have their red or blue lights flashing.
Initially the program will be on a one year trial basis, which will be reviewed in September 2019.
Locally, President of the New England Health Services Union (HSU), and working paramedic, Dave Lucietto welcomed the long awaited change.
“Obviously it is a good thing, and not before time – it has been spoken about for a long time,” he said.
“Emergency scenes can be chaotic with people running everywhere and focussing on what they are doing.
“We hope to get as much space as we can to get the job done without having any more injuries to emergency service workers or the public.”
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While recently there have not been any major issues or injuries as a result of this issue locally, Secretary of the local HSU and emergency service worker Brian Bridge said that it could only be a matter of time.
“The rubberneckers are the real problem,” he said.
“The amount of people I see driving past emergency scenes taking photos and filming with their phones while driving is ridiculous.”
“Hopefully these changes will see that more heavily monitored from a police point of view.
“These changes are long overdue and can only improve workplace safety for emergency workers.”
The announcement was made on Monday by Police and Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant, just two months after Roads and Maritime officials declined to attend a meeting at the last minute with Emergency Services who have long been campaigning for the change.
The change brings NSW in line with Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, where drivers face the loss of three demerit points and a $300 fine for failing to comply.
