New SLOMO laws will take effect in the new year to provide a safer environment for workers who respond to incidents on the road.
The SLOMO or Slow Down, Move Over law requires drivers to reduce their speed when approaching a stationary emergency or incident response vehicle and pass at a maximum speed of 40kmh.
It also requires the driver to move over or change lanes where possible and if safe to do so.
Incident response vehicles include those used by:
- WA Police Force;
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services;
- St John Ambulance;
- Main Roads WA Incident Response Service;
- RAC WA; and
- Tow trucks intended to be used to salvage or tow a vehicle.
From 2012 to 2016 there were 43 casualties involving people in emergency lanes and those working on the roadside.
The introduction of SLOMO was an election commitment made by Labor to improve the safety of workers operating on busy roadsides.
Other States of Australia including Victoria and South Australia already have similar laws.
The penalty for failing to obey the new law is $300 and three demerit points.
The introduction of SLOMO will be monitored and an evaluation conducted by the Road Safety Commission.