Latest news with #RACV
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussies warned of 'deadly mistake' on roads as drivers cop $3.3 million in fines
Drivers in one Aussie state have copped a stern warning after racking up a whopping $3.3 million in fines in a span of just months. Alarming new data reveals that more than 8,500 Victorians were caught not wearing a seatbelt from July 1 to September 30, with the 'deadly mistake' costing each rule-breaking motorist $395 and three demerit points. Failing to buckle up is not only a costly lesson, but could cost someone their life, RACV Head of Policy James Williams reminded drivers on Tuesday. So far this year 118 drivers have died on roads across the state — a more than 8 per cent increase. 'Seatbelts save lives. Choosing not to wear one puts you, your passengers, and other road users at risk,' Williams said. 'Crashes can happen anytime, anywhere – and the consequences of not being restrained can be fatal.' Concerningly, that is not the only lapse in judgement Victorians are making while behind the wheel, with additional 'eye-opening' data naming and shaming the Aussie cities and states where drivers are most likely to be busted reaching for their phone. Victoria and Western Australia rank among the worst states for phone use while driving, with motorists reaching for their mobiles once every six trips on average, car insurance company ROLLiN revealed after analysing over 18 million kilometres of driving data from its Safe 'n Save app. On the other hand, South Australian drivers are the most well-behaved. 'Drivers in Adelaide tend to use their phones less while driving, which may be for a range of reasons, including less congested or more predictable traffic, which could make it easier to stay focused and to keep their hands on the wheel and not on their phones,' Brendan Griffiths, ROLLiN's executive manager, told Yahoo News. Surprisingly, despite having the toughest penalty in the country for mobile phone use — a $1,209 fine and four demerit points — Queensland ranked joint second alongside those living in NSW and the ACT. The penalty in the Sunshine State far exceeds any other, with NSW drivers made to pay $410, while in Victoria it's $593 if you're caught using a mobile phone while driving. In SA, motorists face a $556 fine and three demerit points. In terms of cities, drivers in Cairns and the NSW Central Coast are the worst offenders for phone use. Queensland's Sunshine Coast takes the third spot, followed by Geelong and Melbourne. Wollongong residents are the least likely to use their mobiles. 📸 Drivers hit with $30 million in fines after new roadside cameras 🚘 Authorities quietly admit to flaws with phone and seatbelt cameras 🚙 Simple $410 mistake catching out Aussies Griffiths told Yahoo that while more than 50 per cent of the company's customers are achieving a safe driving score, there is still room for improvement. 'Unfortunately, the unsafe driver behaviour we consistently detect through our Safe 'n Save app is phone use, which ultimately results in distracted driving and the risk of an accident,' he said. 'People might think it's okay to use their phone on quiet roads or during longer drives without realising how risky it is or how far they're travelling while they are distracted.' Griffiths added that the new data 'isn't just numbers', it shows real driver behaviours that impact safety, including speed and breaking harshly. 'Seeing these patterns can be a real eye-opener and help to motivate drivers to improve their driving behaviours. By sharing these insights clearly, we're trying to help make the roads safer for all Australians.' 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.
West Australian
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
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. 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.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New road rule coming for millions of Aussies over 'scary' problem
Millions of drivers are being warned they face a new road rule in the coming months as one state moves to protect roadside workers and operators of roadside assistance vehicles who routinely face close calls "every day" on the job due to fast-moving traffic. From July 1, motorists in Victoria will be required to pump the breaks and ensure they're travelling at 40km/h when they pass an incident response vehicle if they want to avoid a hefty fine. The rule is already in place for drivers travelling past emergency services parked on the roadside with their sirens on, such as police cars and ambulances. However, the mandate will soon be extended to tow trucks, mechanics and roadside assistance vehicles. After South Australia recently introduced legislation to make the change, Victoria was the only state, along with the Northern Territory, that didn't have the rule officially on the books. Johnny Dipietro, a RACVp atroller, told 7News he frequently has to contend with dangerous conditions 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. It's is a common occurrence for roadside workers, with incident responder Steven Bevens saying close calls were an "everyday occurrence for our staff" when pulled over on the shoulder of a busy road or highway. A recent RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) survey found 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. "It is making sure they're safe when they're out there working on our really busty roads," the state Road Safety Minister, Melissa Horne, said. 👀 Drivers 'completely unaware' of road rule attracting $6,000 fines ☀️ Young driver cops warning over little-known road rule with $323 fine 😲 More expensive road fines coming for millions of Aussie drivers Motorists have been warned they will be slapped with a fine if they are caught 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. This new rule will simply be an extension of the 'Slow Down, Move Over' road rule currently in place in Victoria. The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction in the country to not have something similar. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
