Road rules when passing emergency vehicles
On 1st September 2018, New South Wales (NSW) introduced a road rule requiring drivers and riders to reduce their speed to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles displaying flashing blue, red, or amber lights.
What to do when passing a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights
- Where the speed limit is 80 km/h or below: Drivers are required to slow down to 40 km/h when passing stationary emergency response vehicles with flashing lights.
- In speed zones above 80 km/h: Drivers must slow to a safe and reasonable speed, considering the circumstances. If it’s safe to do so, drivers should change lanes to give more space.
- In both instances, drivers may need to change lanes, if safe to do so, to allow more space when passing a stationary vehicle with flashing lights.
A penalty notice fine of $544 and 3 demerit points applies for motorists who increase their speed when passing or fail to slow down to 40km/h when the posted speed limit is 80km/h or below.
Keep in mind the rule does not apply when the stationary emergency vehicle is on the opposite side of a divided road separated by a median strip.
What type of vehicles are covered by this rule?
Drivers must obey the rule when passing the following vehicles when stationary and displaying flashing blue, red, or amber lights:
- NSW Police Force vehicles
- Ambulance Service of NSW vehicles
- Fire & Rescue NSW vehicles
- State Emergency Service vehicles
- Rural Fire Service vehicles
- Volunteer Rescue Association vehicles
- Transport Emergency Patrol vehicles
- Traffic Commander vehicles
- Tow trucks
- Breakdown assistance vehicles
What's the history of this law?
On 1st September 2018, NSW trialled a road rule requiring drivers and riders to reduce their speed to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles displaying flashing blue, red, or amber lights.
The new rule referred to as Sarah’s Rule, was born out of tragedy when Sarah Frazer tragically lost her life in 2012 when she was struck on the roadside after her car broke down on the Hume Highway. Sadly, the tow truck driver who had come to help also lost his life. The Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group was established in her memory.
Upon completing a review of the trial including feedback from the NRMA, SARAH Group and community feedback, the road rule was amended to extend to roadside assistance vehicles, including tow trucks. Changes were also made to the speed motorists needed to slow down to on higher-speed roads due to the time and distance required to slow down to 40km/h.
Similar legislation is already in effect in other Australian states and territories, including Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. These measures reflect a growing national consensus around protecting people working or near the roadside. Other countries also have similar road rules.
