As National Road Safety Week continues, Tasmania Police is reiterating the importance of protecting those who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.

Each day of National Road Safety week has a theme, with today’s theme Protect Those Who Protect and Assist Us.

Acting Commander of Northern District Nathan Johnston said the theme serves as an important reminder that community members must slow down near emergencies.

“Our personnel work closely together all year round to keep you safe, and we need you to keep us safe too.”

“National Road Safety Week is an opportunity for Tasmanians to come together to make our roads safer for everyone, including our emergency personnel.”

“Motorists must slow down when approaching emergency or roadside assist vehicles with red, blue, magenta, or yellow lights flashing or sirens sounding.”

“Tasmanians should be familiar with this rule because it’s been in place for emergency service vehicles since 2019.”

“In 2022, the rule was expanded to include roadside assistance vehicles and tow trucks.”

The rules apply differently depending on the speed zones:

• On roads with a speed limit up to and including 80km/h, you must always slow down to 40km/h.

• On roads with a speed limit over 80km/h, you must slow down to 40km/h if it is safe to do so.

• If it is unsafe to slow down to 40km/h, you must simply slow down as safely as possible.

“It’s an offence to break this road rule, and police are enforcing it because we need to keep our officers, other emergency service personnel, and roadside assist workers as safe as possible when they’re carrying out their duties.”

“During National Road Safety Week and beyond, we’re urging all road users to adhere to the road rules and prioritise everyone’s safety.”

For more information about National Road Safety Week, visit https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/