Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke today welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to introduce a new road rule requiring motorists to slow down to 40km/h when passing emergency service workers and volunteers attending to road incidents.
Ms Cooke said emergency service workers and volunteers are out there every day, often putting themselves in harm’s way to protect us and keep us safe on the roads.
“They should be able to attend road incidents without fear of being struck by a vehicle themselves,” Ms Cooke said.
“These new measures will help keep our emergency service workers safe while they’re doing the same for us.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Troy Grant said our police, fire fighters, ambulance officers, State Emergency Service and rescue volunteers do difficult and dangerous work with little or no fanfare.
“The 40km/hr rule will provide extra protection for our emergency service personnel who put their lives on the line,” he said.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the new rule will strengthen current laws and require motorists to slow down to 40km/hr when an emergency vehicle is stopped and has its red or blue lights flashing on all roads.
“The new rule will begin as a 12 month trial from September 1, 2018 following a comprehensive public education campaign.” said Mrs Pavey.
These rules will give all emergency workers extra protection, and confidence that they can go to work and at the end of their shift, get home safely to their families.
The NSW Government will monitor the safety and traffic impacts of the rule over the 12-month period in consultation with NSW Police, emergency service organisations as well as stakeholder groups.
