Road safety blitz targeting drivers who fail to slow down for emergency services
A road safety blitz will begin in Victoria today, with cops cracking down on drivers who fail to abide by a rule that can be the “difference between someone living or dying”.
North
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Drivers refusing to slow down to 40km/h for emergency services vehicles will be targeted in a police operation this week.
It comes after four police officers were killed on the Eastern Freeway earlier this year after pulling over speeding Porsche driver Richard Pusey on the side of the road.
Mr Pusey was intercepted at 149km/h on the freeway on April 22.
The officers were standing in the emergency lane when Mohinder Singh’s refrigerated truck ploughed into them.
Police units will begin the operation this week in Darebin, Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea.
Sergeant Simon Borg said the operation was about community education as well as punishment.
“The roadside is dangerous and we need this rule to protect our people – near misses are far too common,” Sgt Borg said.
“Slowing for those few short seconds allows us to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“When dealing with life-threatening situations on the roadside, the behaviour of passing motorists can make all the difference in someone living or dying.”
A recent study showed that while most Victorians know about the rule, many chose not to comply.
The research, commissioned by Road Safety Victoria, found about 80 per cent of motorists are aware of the road rule but only 38 per cent slowed to 40km/h on high speed roads.
The road safety advertising campaign – called Flashing Lights: Pass at 40 – was relaunched earlier this month across digital channels, radio and billboards to highlight why it’s important to slow down when passing first responders.
“Every time we pull someone over for not complying my officers will be having a chat and providing them with an information flyer that highlights the importance of complying,” Sgt Borg said.
“Slowing down to 40km/h may be a small inconvenience for you but it makes a world of difference in keeping our people safe.
“We do not want cars and trucks coming past at 100km/h when we are trying to do our job.”
A similar operation on the Mornington Peninsula last month nabbed 13 drivers not adhering to the 40km/h speed limit, with all of those fined doing at least 80km/h.
Anyone who fails to slow down to 40km/h when passing emergency service vehicles may receive a $289 fine.
A new rule was introduced in 2017 and requires motorists to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary or slow moving emergency or enforcement vehicles with flashing red, blue or purple lights.
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