Roadside safety law tightened—slow down or cop a $960 fine

An important shift in road rules is set to take effect, carrying new responsibilities—and consequences—for everyday drivers.

This isn’t about new technology or complex legislation. It’s a straightforward update to an existing rule, but one that could mean a hefty fine for those who aren’t paying attention. The change is designed to boost safety for some of the most overlooked workers on our roads.

Previously, the 40km/h slowdown rule only applied when passing emergency services and VicRoads incident response vehicles displaying flashing lights. 

But under the new laws, the rule has been expanded to include a wider range of roadside workers, such as tow truck drivers, roadside mechanics, and emergency traffic management staff. 

Now, if you see any vehicle with flashing red, blue, magenta, or yellow lights stopped on the roadside, you must slow down to 40km/h until you’ve safely passed.

If you’re a Victorian motorist caught failing to slow down, you could be fined up to $960. That’s a steep price to pay for a moment’s inattention—and it’s not worth the risk to your wallet or someone’s safety.

The Victorian Government says the move is all about safety. Roads Minister Melissa Horne explained: ‘Incident response, roadside assistance, and breakdown towing vehicles are there for us when we are in need—this change acknowledges the risks they take and our commitment to keeping them safe. It is the responsibility of all drivers to familiarise themselves with this road rule and to always slow to 40km/h past responding vehicles—for the safety of workers and all road users.’

It’s a sentiment echoed by the RACV, with executive Makarla Cole noting that these workers are often the first and only responders to breakdowns and accidents, facing the same dangers as police and paramedics. 

‘Victoria’s emergency roadside workers and tow truck drivers are often the first and only responders to an incident or breakdown and are exposed to the same risks to other responders, such as police and paramedics,’ she said.

‘I am sure every driver who has needed the help of an emergency roadside assistance worker or tow truck driver will be pleased to know that the Victorian Government is now protecting these essential responders in their workplace and their customers.’

The expanded rule now extends to workers from a broader range of roadside services. This includes personnel from accident towing companies, breakdown towing services, and roadside assistance providers such as the RACV. It also applies to incident response teams operating on major road networks, including Peninsula Link, Eastlink, and Transurban.

So, if you see any of these vehicles with their lights flashing, remember to slow down!

RACV executive Makarla Cole welcomed the change, noting that it brings Victoria in line with national standards designed to protect roadside workers. The expanded rules will come into effect from 1 July.

As this road rule comes into effect, it’s a timely reminder for all drivers to stay informed and attentive to changes that aim to keep everyone safe—on both sides of the road.

What are your thoughts on the expanded rule? Have you ever encountered a situation where roadside safety felt at risk? Feel free to share your perspective in the comments below—we welcome respectful discussion from all viewpoints.

Also read: The surprising road rule catching drivers off guard—and how to avoid a $6,000 fine