Queensland rules reviewed
Flashing lights at the roadside are a prompt to look ahead and make space. In Queensland, you must move over and slow down when passing a parked emergency response vehicle displaying flashing lights, as soon as it is safe to do so.
The response depends on the available lanes, nearby people and surrounding traffic. Queensland does not set one universal 40 km/h passing speed for this rule. The aim is to pass with enough separation and at a speed that protects the people working there.
Which roadside vehicles does the rule cover?
It covers parked emergency response vehicles with flashing warning lights, including the following groups:
- Emergency services: police, ambulance, fire and rescue, rural fire and State Emergency Service vehicles, with blue or red flashing lights.
- Transport enforcement: Transport and Main Roads and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator compliance vehicles, with magenta flashing lights.
- Breakdown assistance: tow trucks and clearly marked roadside assistance vehicles, with yellow flashing lights.
People beside those vehicles may be attending to a breakdown, helping someone injured or working around other stopped vehicles. Look for the whole roadside scene, including people and vehicles beyond the first set of lights.
Work out where you can safely pass
On a multi-lane road
Leave at least one clear lane between your vehicle and the emergency response vehicle. Check the traffic around you before changing lanes and make your intention clear.
If moving across is not safe or practical, follow the advice for limited space. Do not force a lane change into another driver's path.
With one lane or limited space
Move over as far as you safely can within your lane and slow down. Pass only with enough room to avoid a collision and at a speed that does not put nearby people at risk.
A narrow lane or traffic beside you is a reason to reassess your speed and clearance, not to continue close to the workers.
The law recognises situations such as an unsafe or impractical lane change, directions from an authorised officer, certain turning or roundabout movements, and nearby roadworks. They do not remove the requirement to pass safely. Section 78A of the Queensland Road Rules sets out these conditions.
If the response vehicle is beyond a median strip on the opposite side of the road, this particular passing rule does not apply. Continue to observe the road, traffic controls and any directions that do apply to you.
Slow in a controlled way
Start assessing the scene as soon as you see the lights. Check how close workers and pedestrians are to your lane, whether other vehicles obstruct your view, and how much space the traffic behind you has. Road surface, visibility and weather also affect the decision.
There is no single passing speed that suits every Queensland roadside scene. Where space is tight, you may need to slow substantially. Looking ahead gives you more time to reduce speed smoothly instead of leaving the decision until you are alongside a worker. The Queensland Government's parked response vehicle guidance explains the lane and speed decisions together.
Original Queensland Government and StreetSmarts campaign artwork from the rule's 2022 introduction. Its “New law” label refers to that launch; the requirement continues to apply.
When an emergency vehicle approaches
An ambulance, police or fire vehicle approaching with an alarm or flashing red or blue lights needs a clear path. Move out of its path as soon as you can safely, avoiding sudden movement. Give way at intersections even if your light is green.
Use the separate guidance for emergency vehicles on the road for that situation. The parked-vehicle rule above is about protecting the people at a roadside scene.
Before driving interstate, check the relevant state's requirements. Do not assume its passing speed or vehicle categories match Queensland's. StreetSmarts' move over and slow down information provides another Queensland reference and current penalty details.
If judging space and adjusting speed still takes a lot of concentration, discuss the sequence with your instructor. Explore practical driving guidance from Coastwide to connect road rules with observation and everyday decisions.