The RACV is calling on the Victorian Government to change the road rules to protect emergency roadside assistance workers and tow truck drivers.
Victoria is one of the few states in Australia that does not have a rule that requires drivers to slow to 40km/h when passing emergency roadside assistance vehicles or tow trucks.
Currently, Road Rule 79A — or the ‘slow down, move over’ rule — states that a driver must not drive past, or overtake, a stationary or slow-moving police vehicle, emergency vehicle, enforcement vehicle, escort vehicle or incident response service at a speed greater than 40km/h, highlighted by red and blue lights.
RACV automotive services general manager Jackie Pedersen said the insurer wanted the government to amend the rule to protect any incident response service, including roadside assistance vans, such as RACV patrol vans, and tow trucks with yellow flashing lights.
The rule would also protect motorists who were waiting on the side of the road.
“Safety is the number one priority for all Victorians,” Ms Pedersen said.
“Every day, hundreds of RACV service providers put themselves at risk of injury and death from fast-moving vehicles while helping over 820,000 Victorians annually.
“Victoria’s emergency roadside workers and tow truck drivers are exposed to the same risk as other responders, such as paramedics and police, while working at the side of the road.
“Emergency roadside assistance workers are often the first in attendance at the scene of an incident or breakdown.”