New SA laws reduce speed limit to 25km/h around RAA and roadside patrol vehicles

After a spate of near-misses and a 12-month campaign by the state’s peak motoring body, tough new laws are being brought in to protect vulnerable workers.

New laws will protect roadside assistance crews from lead-footed motorists after a 12-month campaign by the RAA to reduce speed limits near broken-down cars – with dangerous drivers now facing a hefty penalty.

RAA data shows, between 2019 and 2023, there were 20 reportable incidents caused by cars driving past breakdowns without due care, including five incidents where RAA patrol vans were hit by a car or motorcycle.

Dashcam footage released by the RAA shows the heart-stopping moment a truck blasts past a vehicle pulled over on the side of the road at 100km/h, making clear the dangers faced by roadside assistance workers.

On Thursday, Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis announced the 25km/hr speed limit that currently applies to emergency services vehicles will be applied to roadside breakdown and recovery patrols when their lights are flashing.

“RAA workers, tow truck workers, people who turn up on the side of the road to help our fellow citizens are finally gonna get the benefit of a legal lower standard,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“They do the work that we needed to do to keep us safe or to respond to the most horrific incidents. But once those incidents are over, often, there are other responders who turn up to clean up and move people along – and they need our protection as well.

“Everyone deserves to go home after a shift at work.”

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. Picture: Kelly Barnes

RAA Senior Manager Charles Mountain said the organisation welcomed the new law. Picture: David Mariuz

RAA workers attend more than 950 call-outs a day in SA, with an increasing number on high-speed arterial roads where workers – as well as drivers and passengers waiting at the roadside – are vulnerable.

The new law will mean drivers must slow to 25km/hr as they pass a stationary breakdown services vehicle with flashing amber lights.

Failure to slow down may result in a fine and demerit points based on the level of speeding.

If successfully prosecuted for the offence, a driver faces a maximum court penalty of up to $2500.

The new speed limit does not apply if the stationary breakdown services vehicle is on the opposite side of the road you are travelling.

When similar laws for emergency services vehicles were first introduced in 2012, the RAA raised concerns that forcing motorists to slow without warning could cause crashes.

However, on Thursday, RAA Senior Manager Safety & Infrastructure Charles Mountain said RAA welcomed any measure to keep the vulnerable members and patrols safe at the roadside.

“Almost every South Australian motorist would have a story about when they were rescued at the roadside by an RAA patrol,” Mr Mountain said.

“We’ve seen dozens of near misses and our patrol vans have been hit five times over the last few years so it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.

“This is not just about keeping our patrols safe, but also our 820,000 members and the rest of the South Australian community who might need a tow or other assistance.”

Mr Mountain urged all motorists to check their surroundings and reduce their speed when passing patrol vehicles.

“At the end of the day, it could be your child, husband or wife, brother or sister, elderly mother or father at risk,” he said.

The legislation is set to be introduced to parliament and, if passed, is expected to come into effect later this year.

Car slams into tree, destroys park bench on North Tce

Car slams into sidewalk bench on North Terrace, Adelaide. Picture: Supplied

By Agnes Gichuhi

A car has slammed into a tree in Adelaide’s CBD, swerving across a pedestrian path and up-ending a park bench.

Emergency services were called to the North Tce and King William St, Adelaide, around 4.15pm after reports that a car was involved in a single-vehicle collision.

A spokesman for SA Police said there have been no reports of serious injuries.

Metropolitan Fire Service crews also attended the scene of the crash.

On Wednesday, two teenage boys crashed into the legendary The Ghan passenger train and rolled.

The incident happened at Baroota, near Port Pirie, as a Mazda 3 was travelling along the Augusta Highway before crossing the tracks and smashing into the train about 3.15pm on Wednesday.

The driver and passenger in the Mazda, both 17-year-old boys from Port Augusta, sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital.

No one on board the train was injured.