THE state government caused a stir this week when it announced motorists would be required to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency services vehicles.
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Immediately, there was a vocal section of the community that decried the law change as simply another example of the Andrews government’s “nanny state” tendencies.
This opposition was given some credibility when the RACV expressed concerns about the practicality of decelerating from 110km/h to 40km/h and the risks this could pose.
A poll conducted by the Bendigo Advertiser saw 56 per cent of respondents agree with the 40km/h limit, while 20 per cent were opposed.
The reality is that our emergency service personnel put their lives on the line every day for us, and this change will help make their workplaces more safe.
Anything that keeps personnel safer when pulled over by the side of the road or heading to scene of a call-out has to be of considerable assistance.
Even if they do not need to go above the speed limit, their flashing lights and sirens means everyone should ensure they have a clear path to take.
This is something that is drilled into everyone who wants to get a driver’s licence. And that is, if an emergency vehicle is approaching you should pull over.
But we know that doesn’t always happen.
Many people could recount incidents where other motorists, almost belligerently, inexplicably fail to even move even slightly aside to let an ambulance, a police car or a fire truck pass.
This behaviour becomes even more foolhardy when crews are on scene doing their best to save lives and get people to hospital as quickly as possible.
Sometimes it is even simply a police officer standing by the driver’s side of a car that has been pulled over.
The RACV is entitled to question the law’s application on open highway limits.
But it is hard to believe that any driver paying proper attention, as we all should, would not be able to see what is ahead and act accordingly.
It is a very easy thing to do to slow down to 40km/h and it will ensure a far safer working environment for our emergency workers.
They have the most difficult of jobs and deserve to not be put at risk when they are so vital to the community’s welfare.
