RACV has welcomed the state government’s announcement that Road Rule 79A will be expanded to protect emergency roadside workers, tow truck drivers, and their customers.
RACV general manager of automotive services Makarla Cole said the amendment addresses a safety issue in the Victorian road rules and aligns Victoria with other Australian states.
“Since 2017, drivers on Victorian roads have had to slow down to 40 kms per hour when passing emergency services vehicles at the side of the road,” said Ms Cole.
“For the past two years, RACV has called on the Victorian Government to include roadside assistance vans, such as RACV patrol vans, and tow trucks in this rule.
“From July 1, 2025, Road Rule 79A will be extended to include accident towing, breakdown towing, roadside assistance, Peninsula Link Incident Response, Eastlink Incident Response and Transurban Incident Response vehicles.
“Currently, Road Rule 79A only applies to police vehicles, emergency vehicles, enforcement vehicles, and VicRoads Incident Response Service vehicles.
“RACV is pleased with Minister Melissa Horne’s announcement that Victorians will soon slow down when passing any incident response vehicle, including RACV patrol vans.
“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.
“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.”
