“Horrific” dashcam video has captured the moment a car slammed into the back of a parked RACT van with flashing lights on a Tasmanian highway.
The close call near Devonport shows the daily dangers faced by roadside workers and emphasises the crucial importance of slowing down to 40km/h when approaching emergency vehicles with flashing lights, RACT CEO Mark Mugnaioni said.
The footage of the collision was captured while the RACT staff member was stopped to help with a caravan and was released as part of National Road Safety Week.
“Most Tasmanians wouldn’t expect to have a speeding vehicle fly through their workplace, so why should our roadside and emergency service workers experience this,” Mugnaioni said.
“Our patrols are large bright yellow vans and despite that, a member of the motoring public ran into the back of [one].”
“Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt by the collision, but that could have easily been a very different outcome.”
Police and Emergency Minister Felix Ellis said National Road Safety Week presented the “perfect opportunity” for the community to unite in efforts to make the state’s roads safer.
“It’s all about looking out for those who are out there on the front line, keeping us safe day in and day out,” he said.
“Our amazing emergency responders – from Tasmania Police to the Tasmania Fire Service, SES, Ambulance Tasmania and our roadside assistance workers – work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and they need our support to stay safe themselves.”
