- New social media campaign to educate drivers about how to clear the path for emergency vehicles
- The Road Safety Commission has partnered with WA Police, DFES and St John WA
- Launch to coincide with National Road Safety Week
The Cook Government is launching a new education campaign to remind drivers what to do when they see the flashing lights and hear the sirens of emergency vehicles on the roads.
To reduce any confusion, the Road Safety Commission has partnered with the Western Australia Police Force, Department of Fire and Emergency Services and St John WA to deliver a social media campaign educating drivers about how to clear the way for emergency services.
The campaign, which features some of WA’s first responders, will highlight four simple steps for drivers to follow:
1. Stay calm, check your surroundings.
Remain calm and safely check your surroundings and pay attention to where the emergency services vehicle is coming from.
2. Safely merge to the left.
Give way to the emergency vehicle by merging as far to the left of the road as possible. And make room for other road users to move to the side too.
3. Can’t move over?
Slow down and indicate left until the emergency vehicle has passed.
4. Don’t break the law.
There’s no excuse for speeding or going through a red light.
The campaign will be launched to coincide with National Road Safety Week and will run from 5 May to 30 June 2024 on digital and social media channels including Facebook and Instagram.
More information about the campaign can be found at:https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/road-safety-commission/emergency-services-vehicles
More information about National Road Safety Week can be found at: https://roadsafetyweek.com.au
As stated by Road Safety Minister David Michael:
“As drivers we have a responsibility to ensure that ambulances, police and other emergency vehicles get to incidents quickly and safely.
“In an emergency, every minute counts and confusion could cost a life.
“These four simple steps will help our first responders save precious seconds to help preserve and save precious lives.
“It is great to see the Road Safety Commission collaborating with the WA Police, DFES and St John WA to make our community safer.
“During National Road Safety Week, more than 40 landmarks around WA will be illuminated in yellow to shine a light on road safety and remind us of those whose lives have been lost or affected by road trauma.”
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Our emergency services responders put their own safety on the line when they are rushing to respond to an accident or an incident.
“Saving lives is time critical. Providing the public with clear guidelines on how to respond and reduce the risk for our emergency services to safely reach their destination is vital.
“I encourage everyone to take the time to consider these four steps which will make a big difference to enhancing community safety for all Western Australians.”
