Committee recommends Victorian Government review speed limits

The Victorian Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Parliamentary Committee has backed RACV’s calls to reduce the speed limit when passing emergency roadside vehicles and tow trucks on Victorian roads.

The Inquiry into the impact of road safety behaviours on vulnerable road users, has recommended that the Victorian Government “review the road rules in relation to the speed motorists should travel at when passing a tow truck or emergency roadside assistance vehicle with flashing lights.” This would include RACV patrol vans and tow trucks.

RACV General Manager Motoring Products, Jeff Ames, says the Victorian Government can no longer ignore calls for tow truck and emergency roadside assistance workers to be afforded the same protection as in other States.

“Every day, hundreds of our workers put themselves at risk of injury and death from fast-moving vehicles while helping over 820,000 Victorians annually,” Mr Ames said.

“We welcome the Committee’s recommendation of a review but believe the Victorian Government should urgently introduce legislation to reduce the speed limit in Victoria, to protect worker safety.

“The South Australian Government has introduced legislation to Parliament that, if passed, will reduce the speed limit when drivers pass all roadside breakdown and recovery vehicles such as Royal Automobile Association of South Australia (RAA) patrol vans. This means that Victoria will be the only State, NT being the only territory, where emergency roadside assistance workers are not protected by reduced speed limits.

“RACV has been in discussions with the Victorian Government to introduce a 40 kilometre per hour speed limit when driving past or overtaking any incident response service.

“After 18 months of meetings with the offices of the Road Safety Minister, the Police Minister, and their departments we are yet to see a change to the road rules, so this recommendation is welcomed.

“Any driver who has been stranded at the side of the road knows what a dangerous and stressful situation that can be.

“I think Victorian drivers will be disappointed that the Victorian Government is not tacking action to protect our emergency roadside workers, and the people they help."