AA, RAC and Green Flag call for new road safety rule following string of deaths

UK’s three largest breakdown companies put aside rivalry to campaign for new rules to protect roadside technicians

AA, RAC and Green Flag call for new road safety rule following string of deaths
A recent RTC involving an RAC patrol van recovering a vehicle on the hard shoulder shows the dangers roadside technicians face.

The AA, RAC and Green Flag are calling for new guidance to protect roadside patrols after three mechanics were killed in 12 months.

The three companies co-wrote a letter to road safety minister Jesse Norman MP asking for a new “slow down, move over” rule to be implemented.

The proposal would require drivers to reduce their speed and change their road position whenever they pass a broken-down car or a recovery vehicle with its flashing amber beacons turned on, reducing the risk of anyone standing at the roadside being injured.

The breakdown companies have also called for a THINK! road safety campaign to highlight the dangers faced by patrols and stranded motorists during roadside breakdowns.

“Slow down, move over”

The most recent roadside technician death was that of 33-year-old David Stokes, who worked for the RAC and was killed on June 16 when he was hit by a car while repairing a vehicle on the A617 at Rainworth, Nottinghamshire.

Two other roadside technicians also lost their lives in the previous 12 months and, additionally, the organisations report “numerous roadside incidents” having occurred over the course of the last year.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “Between our organisations we have seen too many near misses and too many fatalities caused by this problem.

“That needs to change quickly.

“‘Slow down, move over’ is not a difficult request, but this simple act of kindness will make a world of difference to vulnerable drivers, patrols and road workers alike.”

James Knight, chief operations officer at the RAC, commented: “In light of the recent fatalities, we now urgently need the government to work with us to raise awareness of the issue among drivers and to promote a ‘slow down, move over’ message.

“This must be backed by a high-profile publicity campaign and a change to the Highway Code.”

Related: “Horrific” motorway incident prompts safety campaign to protect roadside technicians

Many GW readers have supported calls to better protect roadside technicians with new ‘slow down, move over’ rules.

Commenting on the GW forum earlier this year, reader Tim said: “I have worked in the breakdown recovery industry for a number of years now and the proposed ‘slow down, move over’ law campaign has been running in the UK for many years, but the government fail to recognise the need for it.

“Everyone working at the roadside deserves to get home to their loved ones, whether it be a breakdown operative, a BT engineer or refuse collector.

“Drivers fail to realise the possible implications of not slowing down.”

Have you or anyone you know experienced a close call while out on recovery? Share your concerns and experiences below or email [email protected].

Home Page Forums AA, RAC and Green Flag call for new road safety rule following string of deaths

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  • #165878 Reply

    The AA, RAC and Green Flag are calling for new guidance to protect roadside patrols after three mechanics were killed in 12 months.

    The three companies co-wrote a letter to road safety minister Jesse Norman MP asking for a new “slow down, move over” rule to be implemented.

    The proposal would require drivers to reduce their speed and change their road position whenever they pass a broken-down car or a recovery vehicle with its flashing amber beacons turned on, reducing the risk of anyone standing at the roadside being injured.

    The breakdown companies have also called for a THINK! road safety campaign to highlight the dangers faced by patrols and stranded motorists during roadside breakdowns.

    [See the full post at: AA, RAC and Green Flag call for new road safety rule following string of deaths]

    #165914 Reply
    Alison Glennie
    Guest

    This is an excellent idea as these workers should be able to do their very valuable job in safety.

    Good luck with the campaign and great to see you all working together.

    Best wishes,

    Alison

    #166033 Reply
    simon
    Guest

    I think that drivers who do not use common sence and give a wide berth( should be retested! tothose winching a stranded motorist onto a flat topor where work is being done at the side of the road under beaconsI personally have had a car I was winching on to my flat top struck by a (passing car and I use the term passing loosely)something needs to be done about those drivers who are apparentlynot aware of what the beacons and a man moving around in full flouresent suit (I am convinced that some of them trhink we do it as a kind of dangerous sport set upthe newest truck to my small fleetis equipped with cameras to record the next oppps sorry mate I don’t know how tht happened

    #167092 Reply
    Jo Gibbons
    Guest

    There are not many unprompted acts of kindness on the roads, so unless awareness is raised people will continue to be in there own bubble when driving and tragedy’s like this will rise.
    Good luck with the campaign, is there a petition I can sign / share to help build momentum?

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

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