Police Minister Troy Grant has welcomed the NSW Governments decision to introduce a new road rule requiring motorists to slow down to 40 kilometres when passing emergency workers to protect police, fire crews, paramedics and volunteers.
“I'm delighted that the road safety minister has adopted what I have been pushing for with emergency services for some time now,” Mr Grant said.
“To bring a 40 kilometre speed limit whenever there is red and blue lights flashing when police, ambulance and other emergency services are attending road crash accidents, or serious incidences on roadways.”
“Far too often we have people who don't respect our emergency services and will drive, whether on freeways, main roads or highways, at speeds that just put their lives in danger.
“There have been people in the community out there supporting our campaign and I thank them for their support, but this is a decision that the government has reached,” he said.
SUPPORT: Troy Grant has been pushing for the safety of emergency service workers since the beginning. Photo: ZAARKACHA MARLAN
Mr Grant said the decision has come following trials in other jurisdictions, where some have experienced problems. Prior to trial a public campaign will commence to educate the public on the importance of slowing down for emergency services.
“We want to make sure that this is going to work, so we're starting a 12 month trial commencing September to make sure rules we bought in place will work.”
“It will be led by a public education campaign up to September, to make sure that the community first and foremost understand the importance of slowing down to 40 [kilometres] to protect our emergency services and also to respect the work their doing, in what is often dangerous circumstances,” Mr Grant said.
As Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mr Grant said our police, fire fighters, ambulance officers, State Emergency Service and rescue volunteers do difficult and dangerous work with little or no fanfare.
“I've been pushing for it from the start, there's a couple who got on the band wagon, Phil Donato got a petition out there, I thank him for the support.”
“He's taking credit for the policy … its like wearing medals without fighting in the war.”
“I appreciate his support for the issue, but he had nothing to do with the decision. The decisions been taken by the cabinet of NSW, and I've been working with emergency services for many months before anyone heard of Phil Donato to get this policy right. It has now landed and I'm very pleased with that,” Mr Grant said.
The NSW Government will monitor the safety and traffic impacts of the rule over the 12-month period in consultation with NSW Police, emergency service organisations as well as stakeholder groups.
This story New limit to protect emergency service workers first appeared on Narromine News.
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