The NSW Rural Fire Service Association is reminding drivers to slow down to 40km/h when driving past emergency workers and vehicles displaying blue and red flashing lights.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The legislation was introduced in NSW on September 1 last year and applies to vehicles travelling in both directions, unless the road is divided by a median strip and motorists who do not comply with the rule could face a $448 fine and lose three demerit points.
NSW RFSA president Ken Middleton said that it is imperative this road rule exists to ensure that emergency workers don’t become casualties themselves.
“Whilst the 40 km/h slow down road rule is relatively new here in New South Wales – it is in fact already law in Western Australia and Victoria, and particularly in South Australia, where the law requires drivers to slow down to 25km/h,” Mr Middleton said.
- READ ALSO: NSW firefighters push for 'slow down' laws
“NSW already employs the use of reduced speed rules around school zones – the emergency services slow down legislation is no different.
“I understand that there is perhaps a broader community education piece that may need to accompany this new road rule – the last thing we would want is anyone getting hurt as a result of the changes.
“At the end of the day, our emergency services workers perform difficult and dangerous work for the community, and they deserve to feel safe and know they are protected while they go about their work,” he said.
Would you like more Dubbo and regional news?
You can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Daily Liberal. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up to our free or subscriber only newsletters below: