That’s the sentiment when it comes to introducing legislation to make roads safer for emergency services. 

Calls are growing for the state government to implement 40km/h speed limits at emergency scenes and the idea is one Leeton Fire and Rescue NSW Captain Graham Parks supports. 

“Definitely, we do need something like that in place,” he said. 

“There are times when we have a lot of trucks on scene and it can be tricky.

“What we find is people are driving past and can be too busy checking out what we are doing that they then mount a kerb or gutter. 

“People need to be paying attention to the road.”

Labour has signaled its intention to introduce so-called Slow Down, Move Over (SLOMO) legislation that will require drivers to slow down to 40km/h when passing emergency vehicles that have slowed down or stopped. 

Last year similar legislation was introduced in Victoria and those who don’t slow down face fines between $200 and $700. 

Leeton chief paramedic Chris Bailey is also hopeful the state government would look at doing something similar in NSW. 

“We’re dressed in our fluro gear and sometimes wear helmets so we’re visible, but these laws are definitely needed,” he said. 

“The problem is people are driving past, they are distracted and they aren’t paying attention. 

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“That can be dangerous for our guys. While they are obviously aware of the traffic around them, they are also focused on the job at hand. 

“They can be running between an ambulance and a patient.” In serious cases, roads can be blocked and traffic diverted. 

Police on scene typically direct traffic traffic if it can get through, with local government also pitching in during some circumstances. 

“Sometimes if we’re there first we’ll put the ambulance across the road and block it that way,” Mr Bailey said.

“We’d prefer that to be damaged than a person.”