Slow down for yellow
From 19 May motorists will need to slow down to 25km/h when passing breakdown services vehicles – such as RAA Patrol vans and tow trucks – on the side of the road when they have their yellow lights flashing.
The road-rule change follows RAA’s long-term campaign to improve roadside safety, aimed at protecting both workers and the public from passing traffic.
Until now, South Australian law required drivers to slow down to 25km/h when passing emergency service vehicles with red and blue lights activated. The new rule extends this protection to roadside breakdown and recovery vehicles, ensuring safer conditions for everyone at the roadside.
Between 2019 and February 2025, there were 23 reportable safety incidents caused by vehicles driving past breakdowns without due care, according to RAA Road Service data.
Alarmingly, this included eight incidents where patrol vehicles were hit by a car or a motorcycle, and another five where traffic cones were hit or dragged down the road.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says the new rule is a crucial step in keeping roadside workers and stranded motorists safe.
“We’ve seen dozens of near misses, and our patrol vans have been hit several times in the past few years,” Charles says.
“This change isn’t just about protecting RAA roadside workers – it’s about keeping our members and the public safe too.
At the end of the day, it could be your friend or family member who is at risk while they’re broken down on the side of the road.”