Hundreds of RACV service providers at risk of injury and death from fast-moving vehicles

The RACV is calling for road rules to be changed to ensure roadside workers and tow-truck drivers are protected in the same way as emergency services workers.

The law protecting emergency service workers was introduced in July 2017.

The RACV wants its breakdown assistance teams afforded the same protection as emergency services workers while on the side of busy roads and highways across the state.

The motoring body wants the road rules changed to ensure roadside workers and tow-truck drivers are all protected in the same way that police, paramedics and fire crews are.

The change would also help protect the thousands of motorists stuck on the side of the road every week, RACV manager of automotive services, Jackie Pedersen, said.

The government should update the so-called Slow Down, Move Over rule to conform with most other states, she said.

And this would mean the rule to slow to 40km/h would apply to vehicles with flashing yellow lights, not just those with red and blue lights.

“Every day, hundreds of RACV service providers put themselves at risk of injury and death from fast-moving vehicles while helping over 820,000 Victorians annually,” Ms Pedersen said.

“I am sure every driver who has needed the help of an emergency roadside assistance worker or tow-truck driver would be disappointed to know that the Victorian government is not protecting these essential responders.

“Emergency roadside assistance workers are often the first in attendance at the scene of an incident or breakdown.”

The law protecting emergency service workers was introduced in July 2017, requiring drivers to slow to 40km/h when passing a stationary or slow-moving emergency vehicle with emergency lights or siren sounding.

The rules also apply to VicRoads transport safety service vehicles, which have purple flashing lights, and SES vehicles.

Ms Pedersen said the RACV wanted Victoria’s Road Rule 79A changed to be in line with Queensland, WA, NSW, Tasmania and the ACT.

“Victoria’s emergency roadside workers and tow-truck drivers are exposed to the same risk as other responders, such as paramedics and police, while working at the side of the road,” she said.