Road Rescue Safety
There are often times where you will be required to conduct a rescue nearby or along a roadside. These are considered as a high-risk rescue and there are a number of precautions that should be taken to reduce the risks to both you and the animal. Whether on country roads or major highways, the following safety precautions should be observed:
- Stop somewhere that doesn’t impede traffic flow and provides some safety
- Activate your hazard lights
- Exit from passenger side if possible
- Ensure that you are visible to motorists – wear WIRES reflective vest
- Take care as motorists pass and remain alert to traffic around you
- Never talk on the phone when you are working near or around traffic – move to a safe place if you need to make or receive a call
Use of Flashing Amber Lights on Vehicles
The presence of an amber or yellow flashing light serves as a warning to drivers about an obstacle disrupting the smooth flow of traffic. These lights are particularly valuable for wildlife rescue volunteers involved in roadside rescues. Such lights can be installed on vehicles that operate in hazardous situations and should only be used when the vehicle is stationed in a dangerous location or is moving through perilous circumstances. Although the light does not need to be removed when the vehicle is operating in non-hazardous situations, it must remain steady and not flash.
Approval and Privileges
Volunteer vehicles that lack accreditation from the State Rescue Board are among the vehicles that can be equipped with amber or yellow flashing lights. There is no requirement to seek approval from TfNSW (Transport for New South Wales) to install these lights on vehicles.
It is important to note that the use of amber or yellow flashing lights does not grant any privileges over other vehicles on the road, nor does it allow the violation of regulations or the NSW Road Rules 2014 (NSWRR).
Please note that the use of amber/yellow flashing lights is not compulsory for WIRES members. Their use is a suggestion to help decrease risks associated with hazardous rescues. Please take WHS into consideration when attending any rescue. It is strongly recommended that WIRES members wear a high vis safety vest for every rescue and especially roadside rescues and other hazardous situations.
Placement of Lights
Regarding the placement of these lights, they must be positioned on top of the vehicle. The lights must be clearly visible in normal daylight from a minimum distance of 200 meters, enabling drivers approaching from any direction to see them. Additional lights can be utilized to ensure compliance with this visibility requirement. To prevent driver distraction, the lens of any flashing light should not be visible to the driver of the vehicle or trailer to which it is attached, whether directly or indirectly, including in the rearview mirrors, when the driver is in the normal driving position.
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More Information
NSW Vehicle Standards Information PDF
