Speed cap on the cards to protect breakdown recovery vehicle workers

Cars passing by breakdown and recovery vehicles in South Australia will soon have to cap their speed at 25km/h, with a new law being introduced to protect workers.

Following a 12-month campaign from the state’s peak motoring body, the Royal Automobile Association (RAA), the 25km/hr speed limit will now apply to these vehicles when their lights are flashing – just as currently applies to emergency service vehicles when they have their red and blue lights activated.

Between 2019-2023, there were 20 dangerous incidents caused by cars driving past breakdowns without due care, according to the RAA – five of which involved patrol vans being hit by cars or motorbikes.

“We’ve seen dozens of near misses and our patrol vans have been hit five times over the last few years so it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed,” said the RAA’s senior manager for safety and infrastructure, Charles Mountain.

“No one chooses when or where they break down, and we welcome any measure that helps keep our patrols, members and the community safe at the roadside.

“This is not just about keeping our patrols safe, but also our 820,000 members and the rest of the South Australian community who might need a tow or other assistance.

“Whether that’s a young mum with a couple of children, elderly or disabled people and anyone in between.”

The legislation is set to be introduced to the State Parliament and, if passed, is expected to come into effect later this year. 

In Victoria, drivers must slow down to no more than 40km/h when going past emergency vehicles, which are pulled over with their lights flashing, or face a maximum $777 fine – but the rule doesn’t apply to special purpose vehicles with yellow lights.

A similar law applies in NSW, depending on whether the speed limit on the road at the time is under or over 80km/h, while other states only specify that drivers should move over and slow down safely.