Rosewood Police are putting a strong emphasis on road safety and awareness throughout the Christmas – New Year period and are encouraging families to be up to date with road rules and procedures.
SGT and Officer in Charge at the Rosewood Police Station Travis Ehrich has warned there will be extra police on the roads during the Christmas – New Year period to help make sure everyone gets to their holiday destinations and back home safely.
“Before you travel, take the time to plan your trip to make sure you have allowed for sufficient breaks to reduce fatigue and check over your vehicle or caravan prior to heading off to make sure it is in a safe and maintained condition.
“Ensure that all vehicles and trailers are currently registered by checking on the Transport and Main Roads website.
“Please keep in mind while on the road to move over or slow down, as recently there was a new law imposed which now requires that motorists move over and slow down when passing emergency service vehicles.
“This new’ move over and slow down’ law aims to protect emergency response personnel when working at the roadside.”
New Move Over and Slow Down rules:
• Drivers must move over when changing lanes and slow down when drivers see flashing lights on emergency response vehicles at the roadside.
• The new laws apply to emergency services vehicles, such as police, ambulance and fire and rescue, as well as transport enforcement and breakdown assistance providers, such as tow trucks and roadside assistance.
• The laws will apply to drivers passing stationary emergency response vehicles that are displaying flashing lights that are either blue, red, magenta, or yellow.
• The penalty for not moving over and slowing down will be $431 and three demerit points.
• When on a single lane, the passing driver must move over as far as possible within their lane and slow down to a safe speed.
• When on multi-lane roads, a passing driver will need to change lanes to vacate the lane that is nearest to the emergency response vehicle, if safe to do so; or if unsafe to change lanes, then move over as far as possible within their lane and slow down to a safe speed.
