Today I’m asked about paramedics from Ambulance Victoria driving ‘code 1 ,,, across the border … in NSW. Are there any specific differences that we should keep in mind?’

The Road Rules 2014 (NSW) are the applicable rules.  Like Victoria they contain r 306 that provides for an exemption from the road rules for the driver of an emergency vehicle.  Relevantly an emergency vehicle in NSW is a vehicle driven by an emergency worker.  An emergency worker includes

a member of … the ambulance service of another State or Territory, in the course of providing transport in an emergency associated with the provision of aid to sick or injured persons

That definition extends to a responder from Ambulance Victoria travelling in NSW provided that they are ‘providing transport in an emergency associated with the provision of aid to sick or injured persons’.  An emergency implies a situation where time is critical but one cannot imagine AV would endorse anything as ‘code 1’ that was not an ‘emergency’.

In all other respects r 306 of the Road Rules 2014 (NSW) NSW is going to have the same effect as r 306 in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (Vic).  That is the driver is exempt from the provisions of the road rules (the sort of things for which one could get a ticket) but not from more serious offences such as dangerous or culpable driving (the sort of thing for which one could expect to get arrested). 

In short no, there are no specific differences between NSW and Victoria that need to be kept in mind.  Drive to conditions and remember the most important thing the driver of an emergency vehicle can do is not crash.

This blog is made possible with generous financial support from (in alphabetical order) the Australasian College of Paramedicine, the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW), the Australian Paramedics Association (Qld), Natural Hazards Research Australia, NSW Rural Fire Service Association and the NSW SES Volunteers Association. I am responsible for the content in this post including any errors or omissions. Any opinions expressed are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or understanding of the donors.

This blog is a general discussion of legal principles only.  It is not legal advice. Do not rely on the information here to make decisions regarding your legal position or to make decisions that affect your legal rights or responsibilities. For advice on your particular circumstances always consult an admitted legal practitioner in your state or territory.