A state-wide trial campaign to ‘slow down, move over’ for emergency service officers caring for those at crash scenes will start on September 1, but a bid to widen those it covers was shut down in Parliament today.
Springwood’s Peter Frazer, the president of Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH), says he is “devastated” that the laws do not go far enough to ensure the safety of all people on the road – such as NRMA roadside assist drivers and tow truck drivers.
Mr Frazer’s group has lobbied hard for six years for the new rule, and says NSW has “only done half the job”.
“We have been very much let down by the government.”
Mr Frazer wrote to Roads Minister Melinda Pavey to change her mind but did not receive a response.
A Private Members Bill about the issue was expected to be introduced into Parliament today by the Shadow Roads Minister Jodi McKay. But the debate was halted by the deputy speaker as part of a wider government strategy, which Labor says will mean any possible amendments to the new law will be delayed for a year.
“I’m gutted and devastated,” Mr Frazer told the Gazette.
In 2012 Mr Frazer’s daughter, Sarah, and the tow truck driver sent by the NRMA to assist her, were both killed when a truck driver drove directly into them on the Hume Freeway. He started a fight for the SLOMO laws across Australia soon after.
“How ironic is it that having started the push for SloMo in 2012, the very class of people whose deaths prompted this push for improved road safety, won’t be afforded any protection by the new NSW road rule. Let me be quite clear about this ridiculous circumstance.”
“I am a Rural Fire Service volunteer. I am defined as “Emergency Services” and as such, should I be on our roads or highways, and the lights of our tender flashing, all drivers and riders will be required to slow to 40 kph when passing. As such, my life will be protected by the new law and I am of curse grateful for this.
However, by contrast, the lives of our tow truck drivers and roadside assistance, are specifically not included. Their exclusion means that their lives are deemed to be of less importance than my life, even though our tow truck drivers and roadside assistance are in emergency or rescue situations on our roads 24 hours a day 7 days a week. And because they are not protected, those 2.6 million NRMA Members that they are out on the road assisting, are also not protected.”
NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley said: “Mr Frazer’s bid to have a law that would have protected his daughter and (tow truck driver) Mr Clark will now fail because of the Liberal state government’s vindictive actions in cutting off all Opposition business in the chamber.”
“Shame on the government that its petty vindictiveness will mean that more people could lose their lives on our roads.”
The SLOMO rule requires motorists to slow down to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles displaying red or blue flashing lights. It applies to vehicles travelling in both directions, unless the road is divided by a median strip.
Motorists who ignore the new speed limit could be hit with a $448 fine and the loss of three demerit points.
Transport for NSW will monitor the safety and traffic impacts of the rule over the 12 month trial in consultation with NSW Police, emergency service organisations and other stakeholders.
Roads Minister Melinda Pavey confirmed today that it was not changing its mind.
Earlier this month NSW Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said the trial will help give “extra protection” to emergency workers and those they are caring for on the roadside.
“We want to ensure that people protecting us on our road network don’t become casualties while doing their jobs,” Mr Carlon said.
“This rule will give extra protection and confidence that at the end of a shift they can go home safely to families and friends.”
