Change to 40 km/hr Slow Down Road Rule

Change to 40 km/hr Slow Down Road Rule

From 26 September 2019 the road rule requiring motorists to slow down to 40 km/hr when passing stationary emergency vehicles with flashing blue or red lights has been changed.

The rule has been expanded to also apply when motorists are passing stationary tow trucks and breakdown assistance vehicles with flashing yellow lights.

However, now the application of the road rule will depend on the speed limit for the road. Where it is 90 km/hr or more motorists are only required to slow down to a speed that is reasonable in the circumstances (which may be more than 40 km/hr) but they must also provide sufficient space between their vehicle and the assisting vehicle and even change lanes if safe to do so. Where the road speed limit is 80km/hr or less  the slow down speed will remain at 40 km/hr.

The new road rule will not apply if the assisting vehicle is on the opposite side of a road separated by a median strip.

November 2019