Speeding drivers fined passing flashing emergency vehicles lights above 40km/h
Dozens of fines have been issued during a northern suburbs crackdown on drivers failing to slow to 40km/h for flashing lights of emergency services vehicles, with some even caught speeding up to weave between traffic.
North
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Dozens of motorists have been fined during a northern suburbs crackdown on drivers failing to slow down for emergency services vehicles.
The three-day operation across Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Darebin and Banyule saw 33 infringements issued to motorists above the 40km/h speed limit while passing flashing lights emergency vehicles.
Among them was a cement truck driver who was clocked at 50km/h but was actually speeding up trying to weave through the traffic.
“Everyone was slowing down and you’re trying to weave through the traffic to go faster,” Sergeant Simon Borg told the driver.
“It’s dangerous mate, I mean especially in this thing.”
The Greensborough Highway Patrol Operation Synergy – which ran from July 15-17 – also saw more than 350 educational flyers about the rule handed out to drivers.
“No matter what the offence, every driver we intercepted was given an educational flyer to take home and chat with their families about,” Sgt Borg said.
“This is not going to be something which changes overnight but Operation Synergy was a good start.”
Sgt Borg said something which would be a minor accident at 40km/h could be a catastrophe at 80km/h, 90km/h or 100km/h.
“The roadside is dangerous and we need this rule to protect our people – near misses are far too common,” he said.
“When dealing with life-threatening situations on the roadside, the behaviour of passing motorists can make all the difference in someone living or dying.
“My officers put a big effort into explaining the ‘why’ to anyone intercepted, and that this small inconvenience allows us to do our job efficiently and safely.”
Sgt Borg said there was a clear lack of compliance on the first day of the operation but by days two and three there was a shift in driver behaviour.
“This was really pleasing to see,” he said.
Across the three days 69 other traffic offences were also detected, including 14 speeding offences, 11 unregistered vehicles and 11 defect notices issued.
The 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.
Anyone who fails to do so may receive a $289 fine.
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