Car towing services assist in keeping traffic in Melbourne moving, specifically in cases of accidents that have to be taken away from the middle of the road, even cases of illegal parking and breakdowns. Still, it is not as if it is entirely understood whether tow trucks, like every other car, are supposed to follow the set rules of the road. The best answer is both simple and complex: tow trucks are generally expected to follow road rules in Melbourne; however, there are specific exceptions depending upon the situation.
In this article, we delve deeper into what the role and legal requirements of tow truck drivers are, when exemptions occur, and what that means in terms of road safety and efficiency in Melbourne. It will also be helpful for anyone interested in car towing services to understand these rules since that would give them a better insight into how the towing industry works within the ambit of local traffic laws.
Are Tow Trucks Expected to Obey Road Rules?
Yes, tow trucks fall under the same road rules as any other vehicle in Melbourne, as stated under the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 applicable in Victoria, including the speed limit, stopping at red lights, putting on indicators, and giving way to pedestrians. But of course, there are conditions where certain vehicles would be able to operate outside of those rules provided they are performing said duties.
General Compliance with Road Rules
When tow trucks are not directly involved in any towing duty, they are supposed to abide by all the standard road rules. This keeps them from posing any extra danger on the roads and ensures road safety is maintained.
For instance:
A tow truck that is en route to the next job site has to be conscious of the speed limits and traffic signs.
A driving tow truck without a vehicle attached behaves much like any other vehicle on the road.
Exemptions for Operation of Active Towing
Tow trucks are granted some latitude in a few circumstances, especially in the process of emergency towing and when lending assistance to law enforcement. The few exemptions include the following;
Emergency Response
The tow truck may be exempted from running over the speeding limits or ignoring a few traffic rules if it has to attend to a road accident or a breakdown that involves immediate attention, such as entering the restricted zones to reach the site as soon as possible. However, such actions are permitted only if it does not jeopardize public safety.
Stopping in Restricted Areas
By nature, the operations that tow trucks carry out involve parking in no-parking zones or areas in which all other vehicles are not allowed to stop. An example of this is when a vehicle has parked illegally in a no-stopping zone and would have to be cleared by a tow truck that would also have to contravene the parking ban of that zone, if only for a short time.
Operation of Hazard Lights
When towing along busy roads or highways, tow trucks can display hazard lights as notice to other drivers of their presence. This is primarily used to increase visibility for the benefit of both the towing team and passersby.
Escort of Oversized Loads
There are times when oversized or immobile vehicles need to be accompanied by tow trucks, requiring occasional temporary deviations from lane usage or stop rules.
Safety Above All: How to Balance Rule Exceptions with Public Safety
Of course, there are exceptions to the rules, but these are always done with safety foremost in the minds of all concerned. Tow truck drivers are trained professionals who know the risks associated with their work and know how not to disrupt the flow of traffic any more than is necessary. The rulebook of course does not allow for everybody to become tow truck drivers overnight; they must adhere to very strict guidelines and protocols when availing of the exception to the rules.
Example:
Speed limit exceptions must also be safe and under control at all times, rather than pure speed.
If this were to stop in a restricted area it should be with the least obstruction while ensuring safety for the crew operating it as well as other road users.
Licensing and Training of Tow Truck: Role in Melbourne
Tow truck operators in Melbourne should hold a valid tow truck driver accreditation provided by VicRoads. This will ensure the drivers are proficiently trained both on the technical and safety aspects of towing, including the legal framework governing their operations. The accredited driver will be educated about:
While most of the rules of the road are followed by tow trucks operating within Melbourne, there do exist some tightly controlled exceptions. These would be applied in specific situations that would assure safety to the general public and efficiency within the operations. These are the kinds of exceptions that are likely to be executed with a level of professional judgment not to create any danger to other users of the road. If you rely on the professional services of towing firms, such as Maningham Towing, then you can rest assured that any towing operations will be carried out safely, efficiently, and within the letter of the law.
If you need car towing services, settle for one that will ensure you are safe and observe a high level of professionalism. At Maningham Towing, we’re committed to offering reliable, legal, and secure towing solutions for all your needs. If you would like to know more about this or to book a service you can rely on, please get in touch with us today.