Drivers are being warned to give emergency responders more space after a sharp rise in close calls on Queensland roads.
The push comes during National Road Safety Week as authorities highlight a worsening road toll and growing risks for those working on the roadside.
RACQ, which has released shocking footage of near misses involving roadside crews, has urged motorists to slow down and move over when approaching incidents, warning roadside collisions could become more frequent if behaviour does not change.
In the six months between November 2025 and April 2026, the organisation recorded 29 near misses involving tow trucks assisting motorists, more than triple the number during the same period a year earlier.
RACQ deputy chief executive Glenn Toms said Queensland law required drivers who saw flashing lights on the roadside to move over and reduce speed.
“Roadside operators are there to help when you need it most. The least motorists can do is move over and slow down,” Mr Toms said.
“They are out there saving Queenslanders every day from dangerous and vulnerable situations. We can’t have motorists making these situations worse by not following their obligations to give them safe space.
“The law is simple, if you see flashing lights on the roadside, move over and slow down.”
Footage released by RACQ shows near misses, collisions, and vehicles narrowly passing roadside crews on the shoulder.
Mr Toms described it as “disappointing” that road safety outcomes were slipping after the organisation pushed for the Move Over, Slow Down laws in 2017.
Queensland has recorded 125 road deaths so far this year, almost 30 per cent higher than at the same time last year.
If the trend continues, the RACQ has warned the toll could reach 330 by the end of the year.
“Queensland is on track for another one of its deadliest years in recent history, and these incidents show the risks aren’t limited to drivers and passengers, they extend to the people working to keep our motorists safe and our roads moving,” Mr Toms said.
“Every one of these close calls could have ended in tragedy. Slowing down and moving over isn’t just the law, it’s about protecting lives.”
The Queensland Police Service also urged motorists to avoid dangerous behaviour, noting vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists remain overrepresented in fatal crashes.
Road Policing Group Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said officers continued to target high-risk driving.
“First responders feel this loss deeply, and it is a driving motivator as to why we work so tirelessly to prevent these tragedies from happening,” Superintendent Wheeler said.
“Dangerous behaviours displayed on our roads, such as speeding, distracted and impaired driving, driving tired and not wearing a seatbelt, are leading to serious injury and death.”
