New road rule (not a joke)

[Airspeed]

From 1st July 2017, we have a new rule, that when passing a stationary or slow moving emergency vehicle with red,blue, or magenta lights or siren operating, you must slow to max. 40kmh.

I was worried about this, as were some commentators on radio.
I recall complaints from the authorities some years ago, who said that drivers slowing down to sticky-beak at accident sites caused all sorts of trouble because of the concertina effect on freeways.

Our Daughter lives on a hill some kilometers from the Western Freeway, and saw numerous blue & red flashing lights.
Turned out that police had stopped at a breakdown. A following car slowed in accordance with the rule, and was promptly slammed in the rear by a truck.
I fear that this is the start of a mounting list.
I've put a link to the newspaper report, but am amazed that they have included a totally misleading graphic.
What colour would you say the flashing light is? I have written to Vicroads to point this out. I'll let you know their response.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/reare ... x3jnr.html

[FlyTexas]

I would call the light amber.

Brian

[Tako_Kichi]

We've had a similar law here in Ontario, Canada for a while now. Our law states:

"As of Sept. 1, 2015, drivers will be required to slow down and move into the next lane whenever they see a stopped emergency vehicle with its red and blue lights flashing. This will also apply to stopped tow trucks that have amber lights flashing. The fine for breaking these rules will be $490 and three demerit points."

There is no set speed to slow down to and you also have to change lanes where possible, obviously if it's a two-lane road with oncoming traffic you've got a problem! Most people will wait until there is a gap in the oncoming traffic and then move over into the opposing lane to pass the incident.

In addition you are required to slow down and signal then pull over to the right and stop if emergency vehicles with lights and/or sirens active approach you from behind or ahead.

[Vancouver]

Here is the edict issued by our Overlords here in BC.

VICTORIA – A new regulation takes effect today to enhance the safety of emergency workers by requiring drivers to slow down and move over when passing parked emergency vehicles that have their lights flashing.

The new Motor Vehicle Act regulation applies to drivers passing police, fire, ambulance and towing vehicles, as well as vehicles used by commercial vehicle safety and enforcement personnel, passenger transportation inspectors, conservation officers, park rangers, and special provincial constables employed in the Ministry of Forests and Range.

Drivers must now slow to 70 km/h on highways where the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, and to 40 km/h where the limit is below 80 km/h, when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle that has lights flashing. If there is another lane going in the same direction, drivers must also move into that lane if it is safe to do so.

The penalty for not slowing to the designated speed, not moving over, or both, is a fine and three penalty points on the driver’s licence. The fine, including a 15 per cent victim surcharge, is $148 if paid within 30 days or $173 thereafter. An existing penalty remains in place for failing to yield to a moving emergency vehicle.

Between 2001 and 2007, 21 emergency workers were injured or killed on B.C. roads – 12 of them at the roadside.

The new regulation is supported by organizations representing emergency workers including the Office of the Fire Commissioner and Fire Chiefs’ Association of B.C., BC Ambulance Service, BC Association of Chiefs of Police, the British Columbia towing industry and the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA).

[Chris Trott]

A similar regulation's been in place in Texas for more than a few years now, and it's only recently that anyone's really started enforcing it after several high-profile accidents involving drunks plowing into stopped vehicles. The reason they're enforcing it more strictly now is because they're finding that almost every time they pull over someone for failure to yield or slow for emergency vehicles, they're either driving while distracted (texting, talking on the phone handheld, etc) or they're drunk. Either way - illegal (even without specific ordinances, driving while texting or using a handheld phone can be classed as "distracted driving" which is a moving offense in 99% of the United States already). Haven't seen any stats on whether it's had an appreciable effect though.

[airboatr]

We've had the "Slow Down - Move Over" law in Florida for Over 15 years..
The law applies to all emergency, utility, road and recovery service vehicles. . With any color of flashing lights.

Most people had been doing it anyway as it follows the rule of defensive driving..

But because of people who drive with their head up their arse.. They had to make a law ...
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