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Election commitment delivered

New laws take effect from March 2018

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.

Comments attributed to Police and Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts:

"The roadside can be a dangerous place for our emergency responders who are often risking their lives to help others.

"This is the fulfilment of an election commitment - one we made to protect our emergency workers and breakdown response workers.

"The tragic death of a tow truck driver in 2013 and the fact there have been 43 casualties in the past five years shows this law is needed.

"The introduction of these laws will save further roadside tragedies."

Minister's office - 6552 6900