Mail - Mt Evelyn Mail - 27th June 2017

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Mount Evelyn

7 Tuesday, T d 27 June, J 2017

Christmas decoration bid

5

Mail

Olinda Hall worry

A Mail News Group publication

25-36

Best in local sport

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

Best in the state Ranges TEC students from Mount Evelyn and Lilydale have shown they’re among the best in the state, receiving two VCAL awards for last year. Pictured (from left) are Hayden, Kayla, Paige, Vicky Eborall (teaching staff), Ric Thorpe (director), Ms Judith Graley (Parliamentary Secretary for Education), Glenn Booth (teaching staff), Annie, Jake and Scott. See full story on page 3.

SES rules, OK? By Wendy Williamson

After passing the vehicle, drivers should not increase speed again until reaching a safe distance from the scene, so that emergency workers can do their job without fear of being hit by passing traffic. It is because of the number of emergency workers killed or injured on Victorian roads after being struck by passing vehicles or debris that the State Government is introducing the new road rule. In a recent survey almost one in five emergency services workers said they’d had four or more “near misses” while stopped on the roadside over the past three years. “I’ve seen plenty myself,” Mr Owen said. “We are out in the worst of the weather, when it is foggy, wet, windy

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Local emergency services workers are eagerly anticipating the introduction of a new Victorian road rule aimed at keeping them safe. From 1 July, drivers must slow to 40km/h when passing a stationary or slow-moving emergency vehicle responding to an emergency with flashing lights or a siren sounding. The new rule applies to police, ambulance, SES, CFA and MFB vehicles with flashing lights or a siren. It also applies to VicRoads Transport Safety Service vehicles with magenta flashing lights. Drivers who flout the new road rule face a $277 fine or a court penalty of as much as $793.

First Lieutenant of Mt Evelyn, Luke Roy said there was definitely a need for it and urged people to visit VicRoads if they had any questions regarding details surrounding the new road rule. “There’s definitely merit for it,” Luke said. “It’s happened before - I’ve been sitting in the driver seat of a truck and had a vehicle go flying past us and I’ve had to blast the air horn, so that a number of volunteers attending an incident could dive out of the way.” “It’s just to slow down the public in order to look after our welfare and those we’re trying to respond to.” “Fantastic!” was the reaction of Emerald SES Unit Controller Ben Owen. “We have a lot of near-misses. Some drivers just don’t slow down, despite the signs we put up,” Mr Owen said.

and/or dark, and it can be hard for drivers to see us.” He added that he would like to see some signage on the back of emergency vehicles reminding drivers of the need to slow down. Healesville SES Controller Geoff Stott said that most drivers were courteous, but hopefully the new rule would encourage even the small percentage of aggressive drivers who refuse to follow SES directions to slow down. “We can be dealing with a tree down across the road around a bend or two. Using chainsaws and with earmuffs on it can be hard to hear the traffic. Knowing the drivers have to slow down when they see the flashing lights will give us peace of mind,” he said.

SEPTIC TANK

The changes are the result of extensive consultation with Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, the Country Fire Authority, WorkSafe, Emergency Management Victoria, Department of Justice and Regulation, the Transport Accident Commission and RACV. Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan explained: “Emergency services workers are telling us that they feel in danger while they’re doing their job - we’ve listened to them and made these changes to protect the people who are out there protecting the community. “Most people already do the right thing and slow down when we see flashing lights ahead, but this new rule will make sure that everyone passes at a safe speed.”

CLEANING

If it’s been a while since your last dental visit. Come visit us at Valley Dental we are a family clinic and we enjoy working with people of all age groups. The friendly team at Valley Dental would like to offer a winter special of $160 for check up clean and x-rays.

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