New road rule becomes law today: Ignoring it will cost you $448
Motorists in New South Wales will have to follow a new road rule that came into effect on Thursday.
Failure to comply will incur an eye-watering $448 fine and a loss of three demerit points.
The new road rule demands drivers slow down to a speed of 40 km/h when passing a stationary police vehicle or emergency vehicles with flashing red and blue lights.
The law will also apply to passing tow truck operators parked on the side of the road.
Transport for NSW says the new rule is being employed to improve the safety of vulnerable roadside workers which includes tow truck operators and breakdown assistance workers, as well as emergency service workers.
The NSW government announced last year they would be trialling the new rule throughout the state.
Last week it was announced amendments to the law, so the ruling only applies on roads where the speed limit is 80km/h or less.
Transport for NSW said the change comes after driver feedback regarded the new measure as “generally negative”.
It said motorists believed it was increasing the level of danger in certain circumstances.
“We’ve monitored the impact of the rule over the past year and taken on board feedback from the public and stakeholders about the trial. We’re now implementing changes to make the rule safer for everyone,” Transport Minister Andrew Constance said.
If on a road where the speed limit is 90km/h or higher, motorists must slow down to a speed “reasonable for the circumstances”.
Drivers on the road must also provide a “sufficient” amount of space between their vehicles and the vehicle displaying flashing lights, or tow trucks on the side of the road.
Drivers travelling on a multi-lane road are required to change lanes to keep the lane next to the stationary vehicle vacant if it is safe to do so.
“Tow truck and breakdown assistance workers face similar risks on the road to emergency service workers. A commitment was made to consider the application of the rule to other at-risk workers over the 12-month trial period,” Transport for NSW said.
“Now that the rule is being made safer in higher speed environments, it is appropriate to extend the rule and enhance safety for these at-risk workers.”
Motorists in WA, Victoria and Queensland must pass stationary emergency vehicles at 40km/h in all zones while in SA drivers are required to drop down to 25km/h.