Latest news with #MakarlaCole
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Millions of Aussie drivers warned of road rule change with $961 fines just days away
Millions of drivers in Australia are being reminded of a significant road rule change officially coming into effect from Tuesday, with penalties for breaking the law as high as $961. From July 1, Victorians are legally required to slow down to 40 kilometres an hour when they pass incident response vehicles that display lights of any colour. The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) is reminding the public of the change, first announced in April, which aims to make work much safer for the thousands of roadside assistance staff across the country. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, RACV General Manager Automotive Services, Makarla Cole, said around 17 per cent of RACV emergency roadside assistance callouts are to roads where the speed limit exceeds 100 km/h, making the introduction of this new law particularly timely. "The change to road rule 79A is an important one to RACV because we've campaigned for a long time to improve the safety of working conditions for our emergency roadside assistance patrols, as well as our RACV members, who are assisting on our roads," she said. In March 2024, RACV surveyed its emergency roadside assistance patrols to gauge how safe they feel while working on Victorian roads. "RACV's patrols rated 'vehicles not slowing down' as the most common unsafe behaviour that they experience when working on the roads," Cole said. She said that 'no or insufficient emergency lanes' was another issue, highlighting the need to slow down in dangerous situations. "100 per cent of respondents told RACV that they believe reducing the speed limit to 40 km/h when passing a roadside assistance vehicle would make their workplace safer," Cole said. Since 2017, Victorian drivers have been required to slow down to 40 km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles displaying red or blue flashing lights. That rule has now been expanded to include a broader range of roadside responders. Drivers must also slow down when approaching stationary accident towing vehicles, breakdown towing services, roadside assistance operators, and incident response vehicles operating on Peninsula Link, EastLink, and Transurban-managed roads. The move follows South Australia, which adopted a similar law earlier this year. It's part of a sweeping set of road rule changes to be implemented across the country from July 1, as authorities look to tackle the rising number of deaths and injuries on our roads, which has been on a steady incline in recent years. RACV said emergency roadside assistance patrols help over 820,000 Victorians annually. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Drivers warned major road rule change in Australia with $961 fines 'just weeks' away: What you need to know
A major rule change is just weeks away and Aussie drivers have been warned they could be hit with fines as high as $961 if they break it. From July 1, divers in Victoria must not exceed more than 40km/h when they drive past an incident response vehicle. The rule was already in place for emergency services like police and ambulance on the side of the road and now it will include tow trucks, mechanics and roadside assistance vehicles. Royal Automobile Club of Victoria general manager Makarla Cole told Yahoo News the rule would give more emergency workers protection on the side of the road. The standard penalty for exceeding the 40km/h speed limit near incident response vehicles is $346 but it can be as high as $961 with no demerit points docked. The new rules have been put in place due to safety concerns from roadside workers A survey by RACV revealed 83 per cent of roadside workers experienced a close call with another vehicle at least once a week. Patroller Johnny Dipietro said he had experienced a number of near misses on the side of the road. 'I had a vehicle that almost hit me and I'll tell you what, it was really scary,' he said. Incident responder Steven Bevens said close calls happened 'every day' when on the shoulder of a busy road or highway. Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce Peter Jones said the new rules were necessary. 'We're pleased to see the Victorian government's commitment to roadside worker safety becoming a reality,' he said. 'When you see those flashing lights – whether it's police, ambulance, or now our towing and roadside assistance vehicles – slow down to 40km/h. It's a simple action that could save lives. 'This rule change finally gives them the protection they deserve. We urge all motorists to see this as an investment in everyone's safety.'
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers warned major road rule change with $961 fines 'just weeks' away
Drivers are being reminded that a major road rule change is just weeks away, with penalties for breaking the law as high as $961. Millions of Aussies will be impacted by one state's move to protect roadside workers and operators of roadside assistance vehicles. From July 1, in just three weeks, motorists in Victoria will be required to ensure they are travelling at 40km/h when they pass the incident response vehicles. The rule, known as road rule 79A, is already in place for emergency services on the side of the road like police cars and ambulances. Now it's been extended to include tow trucks, mechanics and roadside assistance vehicles too. After South Australia recently made a similar change, Victoria was the only state, along with the Northern Territory, that didn't have the rule made official. Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) General Manager Makarla Cole told Yahoo News that the rule will "ensure that emergency roadside workers and tow truck drivers, regardless of who they work for, are given the same protection as other emergency workers." Those who ignore the rule will be fined for not complying with the 40km/h mandate. The standard penalty for non-compliance is $346 with a potential maximum of $961. There will be no demerit points attached to the offence, however. A recent survey by RACV revealed a startling 83 per cent of its roadside workers experience a near miss with another vehicle at least once a week. The road rule change has come after a consistent campaign from the group to bring Victoria in line with other jurisdictions. Patroller Johnny Dipietro, recently spoke out about the dangerous conditions he contends with while trying to do his job on busy roads. "I had a vehicle that almost hit me and I'll tell you what, it was really scary," he said. He's not the only one. Incident responder Steven Bevens said close calls were an "everyday occurrence for our staff" when pulled over on the shoulder of a busy road or highway. 🚗 Drivers warned as major licence change rolls out across Australia in days 🚛 Aussie truckie praises caravanners for simple road act that saves lives 🛑 Meaning behind little-known roadside marker popping up 'a lot' on Aussie roads VACC CEO Peter Jones backed the change. "With just weeks to go before the expanded Road Rule 79A takes effect on July 1, we're pleased to see the Victorian Government's commitment to roadside worker safety becoming a reality," he said. Jones said the rule change is about creating a "culture of mutual respect" on Victorian roads and encouraged all drivers on Victorian roads to "familiarise themselves" with the expanded rules ahead of July 1. "When you see those flashing lights – whether it's police, ambulance, or now our towing and roadside assistance vehicles – slow down to 40km/h. It's a simple action that could save lives," he said. He argued that roadside assistance workers are first responders too, and often the first on the scene, 'working in extremely hazardous conditions," he said, adding: "This rule change finally gives them the protection they deserve. Jones added that the rule isn't just about compliance but gives workers "vital extra seconds" to react if something goes wrong. "We urge all motorists to see this as an investment in everyone's safety," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Herald Sun
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Herald Sun
Victorian drivers face $960 fine for not slowing to pass tow trucks
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Drivers will need to slow down when passing tow trucks, roadside mechanics and emergency traffic management workers under expanded laws in Victoria. The 40km/h slow down rules previously only applied when emergency services and VicRoads incident response vehicles were stopped on the side of the road, but the extended rules were announced by the state government on Wednesday. 'Incident response, roadside assistance and breakdown towing vehicles are there for us when we are in need – this change acknowledges the risks they take and our commitment to keeping them safe,' Roads Minister Melissa Horne said. 'It is the responsibility of all drivers to familiarise themselves with this road rule and to always slow to 40km/h past responding vehicles – for the safety of workers and all road users.' The rule applies when motorists see any vehicle with flashing red, blue, magenta or yellow lights stopped on the side of the road. Drivers can be fined up to $961 for breaking the rule. RACV executive, Makarla Cole, said the change brought Victoria up to the national standard. 'Victoria's emergency roadside workers and tow truck drivers are often the first and only responders to an incident or breakdown and are exposed to the same risks to other responders, such as police and paramedics,' Ms Cole said. 'I am sure every driver who has needed the help of an emergency roadside assistance worker or tow truck driver will be pleased to know that the Victorian Government is now protecting these essential responders in their workplace, and their customers.' The expanded rules take effect July 1. Workers from accident towing companies, breakdown towing, roadside assistance, Peninsula Link Incident Response, Eastlink Incident Response and Transurban Incident Response will be covered by the change. Originally published as Victorian drivers face $960 fine for not slowing to pass tow trucks
News.com.au
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Victorian drivers face $960 fine for not slowing to pass tow trucks
Drivers will need to slow down when passing tow trucks, roadside mechanics and emergency traffic management workers under expanded laws in Victoria. The 40km/h slow down rules previously only applied when emergency services and VicRoads incident response vehicles were stopped on the side of the road, but the extended rules were announced by the state government on Wednesday. 'Incident response, roadside assistance and breakdown towing vehicles are there for us when we are in need – this change acknowledges the risks they take and our commitment to keeping them safe,' Roads Minister Melissa Horne said. 'It is the responsibility of all drivers to familiarise themselves with this road rule and to always slow to 40km/h past responding vehicles – for the safety of workers and all road users.' The rule applies when motorists see any vehicle with flashing red, blue, magenta or yellow lights stopped on the side of the road. Drivers can be fined up to $961 for breaking the rule. RACV executive, Makarla Cole, said the change brought Victoria up to the national standard. 'Victoria's emergency roadside workers and tow truck drivers are often the first and only responders to an incident or breakdown and are exposed to the same risks to other responders, such as police and paramedics,' Ms Cole said. 'I am sure every driver who has needed the help of an emergency roadside assistance worker or tow truck driver will be pleased to know that the Victorian Government is now protecting these essential responders in their workplace, and their customers.' The expanded rules take effect July 1.
