40k when passing emergency vehicle with flashing lights

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

40k when passing emergency vehicle with flashing lights

landy · Guru

blaze wrote:

Recoup wrote:
blaze wrote:
if you don't see the flashing lights in time to slow down you should hand your licence in, oh I forgot they might be on a blind corner, well you should/most likely only doing 60kmh so slowing to 40 would take not much more than foot off the throttle. it is so easy to come up with excuses for inattentive driving
cheers
blaze
I don't have any problems seeing the flashing lights , it is the one behind me , I block his view with my van ,
he is to close to you if he cant read the road in front of you
cheers
blaze

Getting to the pearly gates and telling St Peter they were to close will do you no good at all. Might be better to fix a dangerous law before the event. Landy

skins · Senior Member

I am an ex-copper with over 31 years experience, so I know a thing or two about pulling motorists over. Whilst the idea has some merit in theory, it is downright dangerous to other road users. It is only a matter of time before someone is killed trying to do the right thing slowing down & another driver not seeing the flashing lights or the vehicle in front suddenly slamming on the brakes to obey the law thus rear ending the first vehicle causing serious injury or death to the occupants. If the copper cant stop his vehicle in a position to safeguard himself and the vehicle he has just stopped - he/she should go back to the college/academy and be taught on how to do it correctly or he/she should not be a copper.

FMC · Veteran Member

South Australia the limit I believe is 25 KPH when emergency lights are flashing regardless of the posted speed limit signs

oldbloke · Guru

Whilst i agree with the concept of vehicles slowing when emergency vehices and personnel are opererating on the road side for the purpose of providing a safer environment, i think it is too big an ask to slow to 25 or 40kph. I think 60kph would be a more achievable and sensible compromise. This would have the added benifit of no requirement to slow on minor roads.

Skyler · Member

Having served as a police officer for 37 years I have experienced a number of near misses when attending roadside incidents, not only when speaking to motorists in or beside their vehicles. Police officers have also been killed when vehicles have slammed into the police car or motor cycle parked behind an intercepted vehicle. Although I agree with the 40 km law in question as an effort to provide greater safety for emergency personnel, I am also cognizant of the fact that rapidly reducing speed in front of a B double travelling at 100 km plus is fraught with danger. Perhaps, in addition to reducing speed on seeing the emergency vehicle flashing lights, we also activate the hazard lights to better attract the attention of following traffic. I'm sure that constitutes a valid use of hazard lights but would value a police policy view of same and will seek that locally.

Skyler · Member

Having served as a police officer for 37 years I have experienced a number of near misses when attending roadside incidents, not only when speaking to motorists in or beside their vehicles. Police officers have also been killed when vehicles have slammed into the police car or motor cycle parked behind an intercepted vehicle. Although I agree with the 40 km law in question as an effort to provide greater safety for emergency personnel, I am also cognizant of the fact that rapidly reducing speed in front of a B double travelling at 100 km plus is fraught with danger. Perhaps, in addition to reducing speed on seeing the emergency vehicle flashing lights, we also activate the hazard lights to better attract the attention of following traffic. I'm sure that constitutes a valid use of hazard lights but would value a police policy view of same and will seek that locally.

Skyler · Member

Further to my previous post (two by mistake actually!) It would seem using hazard lights as I suggested would be within the spirit of sub clause (b) of Regulation 221 of the Victorian Road Safety Road Rules 2017. Don't know about other States.