Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne today announced that Road Rule 79A will be expanded to enable more workers and volunteers to safely get their jobs done.
Road Rule 79A requires road users to –
- slow to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency or enforcement vehicles with flashing red, blue, magenta or yellow lights
- approach stationary emergency services or enforcement vehicles at a low enough speed to be able to stop safely if required and not increase speed until a safe distance from the scene
Currently the rule applies only to police and emergency vehicles, enforcement vehicles and VicRoads Incident Response Service vehicle.
From 1 July 2025 Road Rule 79A will be extended to include accident towing, breakdown towing, roadside assistance and all incident response service vehicles.
The colour of the flashing lights covered by the road rule will not change.
Minister Horne said, “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.”
This rule applies to all roads, including freeways. You must also slow down even if the law enforcement or emergency vehicle is in the service lane or on a dividing strip.
You must slow down to 40km/h in both directions on roads that are divided by single or double white lines.
You don’t need to slow down if you’re travelling on the opposite side of a road which is separated by a median strip, e.g. an area that’s covered in grass or includes a wire rope, concrete barrier or painted island.
You should check your rear-view mirror and gradually slow down as soon as you see flashing lights. Keep the current road conditions in mind and avoid sudden braking.
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.
Read more: VicGov | Road Rule Keeping More First Responders Safe | Media Release