Investigating Driver Compliance with Road Rule 79 A: Executive Summary

In summary, the aim of this study was to investigate driver compliance with RR79A in the Victorian setting. Most participants in the study (both emergency service workers in the focus groups and drivers in the survey) supported the intent of the rule, however had concerns regarding the feasibility of complying with the rule.
Among community members surveyed, awareness of the rule was high, but knowledge and understanding of the specific circumstances in which it applies was far lower. Driver compliance was reported to be variable by the emergency service workers, and this was evident in the on-road observational study. A range of barriers to compliance were identified, including close following distances, and limited visibility of emergency vehicles.
Implications for policy and practice include broader discussions around:
1) Fostering knowledge and understanding about required actions when interacting with an emergency vehicle in a range of scenarios
2) Communicating to drivers the requirements of this rule specifically
3) Broader discussions regarding conspicuity/markings of emergency vehicles
4) How best to support driver compliance (e.g., through the use of technology)