Drivers ‘flying past’ police and firefighters are threatening lives
Police and firefighters in Melbourne’s north say their lives are continually being put at risk by drivers who refuse to slow to 40km/h when passing roadside emergencies. So what are emergency services planning to do about it?
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Drivers are “flying past” police and firefighters at roadside emergencies every day, and Greensborough’s top traffic cop says the “ignorant” behaviour is threatening lives.
Greensborough Highway Patrol Acting Senior Sergeant Ashley Hodges said drivers were still not getting the message they had to slow to 40km/h when passing emergency services.
Under the law introduced in July 2017, drivers must slow down when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle which is displaying flashing red, blue or magenta lights.
But Sen-Sgt Hodges said drivers were continuously flouting that law and putting frontline workers in unnecessary danger.
“Some will slow to 40km/h, but they are a minority,” Sen-Sgt Hodges said.
“Cars are flying past us all the time and at almost every roadside incident we attend — the message is still not getting through.”
Sen-Sgt Hodges said he attended incidents along major roads including the Greensborough Highway, Western Ring Rd and Plenty Rd every day where drivers sped past him and his colleagues at 80-100km/h.
“I couldn’t even count the amount of vehicles who won’t slow down — it’s sheer ignorance and it’s happening every day,” he said.
“We just want a safe working environment, just like everyone else.”
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St Andrews firefighter Helen Kenney said drivers were also failing to slow to 40km/h while she attended roadside emergencies.
“It’s happening at almost every roadside incident,” she said.
“People just don’t slow down, it’s very frustrating and it’s actually quite scary.
“Especially the roads in Nillumbik and around St Andrews which are one-way, windy and poorly lit.
“It’s in everyone’s best interests to slow down but they’re not doing it.”
Sen-Sgt Hodges warned motorists will be pulled over if they do not slow to 40km/h and could be fined $282.