As part of the October road safety campaign, ACT Policing and the Emergency Services Agency are reminding drivers to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary or slow moving emergency services vehicles displaying a blue or red flashing light.
Detective Acting Superintendent of Traffic Operations Marcus Boorman said the law was there to provide a safer working environment for emergency services workers on the road or roadside, as well as others present at the scene.
“Since the introduction of the 2018 laws requiring drivers to slow down to 40km/h near emergency services vehicles with lights activated, ACT Policing has taken an education approach to enforcement,” Acting Superintendent Boorman said.
“Drivers are generally obeying the new regulations and slowing down to pass incidents to ensure that emergency service workers get to go home to their families at the end of the day.
“For everyone’s safety, be aware of your surroundings, concentrate when driving, always look ahead and please slow down when approaching emergency services vehicles with their lights flashing”.
ACT Policing has issued 10 Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) and 41 cautions for passing an emergency vehicle too fast since the new laws were introduced. The infringement notice penalty for this offence is $257 and two demerit points.
Acting Superintendent Boorman said the 40km/h speed limit has been adopted to ensure consistency with the speed applying around other vulnerable road users such as in school zones and at road works.
“If the emergency vehicle is on the other side of a divided road, separated by a median strip, you do not need to slow down.
Drivers are also reminded double demerits will be in place for the Labour Day long weekend from tomorrow (Friday 4 October 2019) to Monday (7 October 2019) inclusive.
This campaign forms part of the joint ACT Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 which prioritises a Vision Zero approach to road safety.
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