RACV calls for lower speed limits near roadside assistance workers

RACV is calling on the Victorian government to introduce lower speed limits for road users when passing roadside assistance vans and tow trucks, after a survey of its patrols revealed the majority experience safety concerns while on the job.

Conducted in March, the survey found that 83 per cent of RACV emergency roadside assistance patrols, including those operating across the Surf Coast and Greater Geelong region, are experiencing a near miss with another vehicle at least once a week while working on the side of the road.

More than half of survey respondents also reported experiencing motorists driving too close to them once a week, while a further 31 per cent indicated that serious near misses occur several times a week.

RACV’s patrols rated “vehicles not slowing down” as the most common unsafe behaviour experienced while working on the state’s roads and all respondents indicated that reducing the speed limit to 40kmh would make their workplace safer.

“A few times I’ve nearly been run over,” one respondent said.

“It makes it very dangerous for myself and the [RACV] member when I’m trying to assist them, and no one will slow down to make a safer environment.”

Another respondent said they were “always stressed” while working on busy roads.

“Keeping eyes on oncoming traffic while working is hard,” they said.

When it comes to Victoria’s roads, emergency roadside assistance patrol personnel reported “no or insufficient emergency lanes” as their highest safety-related concern.

According to RACV, Victoria is the only state in Australia where the ‘Slow down, move over’ rule requiring drivers to slow to 40kmh when passing police or emergency services, does not extend to roadside assistance vehicles or tow trucks.

RACV head of policy James Williams said each day hundreds of RACV workers put themselves at risk of injury and death from fast-moving vehicles while helping more than 820,000 Victorians annually.

“Our patrols have confirmed what we have known for a long time. Working in a high-speed environment is a safety hazard and the introduction of a 40kmh speed limit when driving past or overtaking any incident response service is a long overdue control to reduce the risk

“I am sure every motorist who has needed the help of an emergency roadside assistance worker or tow truck driver would be disappointed to know that the Victorian government is not protecting these essential responders.

“Our emergency roadside assistance workers are often the first and only person helping a member at a breakdown and we want them to return home safely at the end of every shift.”

The Victorian government has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time this newspaper went to print.