The legislation, introduced in NSW on September 1, says motorists must slow down to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights, like police cars, fire trucks and ambulances, or face a fine and loss of demerit points.

NSW RFSA president Ken Middleton said it was imperative this road rule existed to ensure emergency workers, going about their work protecting the people of NSW, didn’t become casualties themselves while doing their jobs.

“Let me be clear, while this legislation is in place – it is saving countless lives of paid and volunteer emergency services workers right around the country,” he explained.

“While the 40 km/h slow down road rule is relatively new here in NSW, it is in fact already law in Western Australia and Victoria, and particularly in South Australia, where the law requires drivers to slow down to 25km/h.

“The 40 km/h slow down rule is designed to make the roads of NSW safer – for all road users.”

Mr Middleton said NSW already employed the use of reduced speed rules around school zones.

“So, the emergency services’ slow down legislation is no different,” he added.

“I understand that there is perhaps a broader community education piece that may need to accompany this new road rule.

“The last thing we would want is anyone getting hurt as a result of the changes.

“As such, the RFSA is committed to working with the relevant state government authorities to continue to educate the public about the 40km/h slow down legislation.

“At the end of the day, our emergency services workers perform difficult and dangerous work for the community, and they deserve to feel safe and know they are protected while they go about their work.”