Extract from ABC News
The RACQ has released vision of near misses involving its crews as it calls for drivers to take care this road safety week. (Supplied: RACQ)
In short:
The RACQ says it has recorded a rise in near misses to its vehicles when responding to crashes and other incidents.
They say motorists are ignoring flashing warning lights and failing to slow down around tow trucks assisting vehicles.
What's next?
It comes during National Road Safety Week, with police saying they are targeting dangerous behaviour.
Motorists across Queensland are being urged to slow down around emergency service vehicles and tow trucks responding to incidents, after a reported rise in near misses.
The calls come on the third day of National Road Safety Week, and amid another deadly year on the state's roads.
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has warned roadside hits could become more common — especially for their crews and emergency services — unless motorists slow down around incidents.
A woman died earlier this week after she was hit by a ute when returning to her car on the side of the M1. (Supplied: Aussie Towing)
The organisation said in the six months between November 2025 and April 2026 there were 29 near misses involving their tow trucks assisting vehicles — more than triple the number during the same period the previous year.
RACQ Deputy Chief Executive Glenn Toms said Queensland law meant if drivers saw flashing lights on the roadside they had to legally move over and slow down.
"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."
RACQ wants drivers to slow down. (ABC News)
Mr Toms said it was "disappointing" to see road safety go backwards after the organisation campaigned for those laws — dubbed the Move Over, Slow Down laws — in 2017.
So far this year, 125 people have died on Queensland roads — an increase of almost 30 per cent on numbers to the same time last year.
On that trajectory, the RACQ has warned 330 people could die this 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."
Police targeting dangerous behaviour
The Queensland Police Service said vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycle riders, continue to represent a disproportionate number of lives lost on Queensland roads.
Chief Superintendent of Road Policing Group Mark Wheeler said police continued to enforce road safety and target high risk behaviours.
"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," Chief 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."
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