40km/h freeway speed limit flagged in truck safety debate

An business roundtable dialogue on the security of the South Japanese Freeway checked out quite a few options to security issues together with a bypass and third arrester mattress being constructed on the base of the freeway.

The State Authorities convened at present’s dialogue following a crash final month which noticed 9 hospitalised after a truck ploughed into vehicles ready on the busy Cross Rd/Portrush Rd intersection.

It was the most recent in a variety of truck accidents on the freeway backside, together with one in 2014 the place truck with no brakes hit vehicles and killed two folks.

After assembly with representatives of street freight and heavy car associations, SA Police and the RAA, Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis mentioned the federal government would study altering freeway velocity limits and that new limits might be launched by October.

“If we modify velocity limits instantly for heavy autos that can mechanically necessitate the usage of totally different gearing ratios on autos, that might be sufficient to minimise that threat,” he mentioned.

“The division can be modelling a change in velocity restrict. If we will do this shortly and safely, that’s one thing I’ll be contemplating very, in a short time.”

However the RAA’s Charles Mountain mentioned that imposing a 40km/h restrict on vans solely wouldn’t enhance security if vehicles had been nonetheless in a position to journey on the present most 90km/, and {that a} blanket 40km/h restrict must be thought of.

“It needs to be checked out, it definitely gained’t be palatable for individuals who use the street regularly, however on the finish of the day, should you’re going to scale back heavy autos right down to 40ks, you must determine the security parts if the adjoining site visitors is touring presently at what could be 50ks above that velocity,” he mentioned.

“That’s one thing that should be mentioned and labored via.”

SA Street Transport Affiliation government director Steve Shearer mentioned the trucking business had beforehand proposed a 40 km/h velocity restrict for vans however authorities modelling dominated a change ineffective.

“They really discovered the queue would again up previous the arrester beds making it unsafe, however that’s going to be checked out once more,” Shearer mentioned.

“Nothing was finalised at present. It actually couldn’t be however I’m very, very constructive that for the primary time in 20 years, we’ve had a very good dialogue, which goes to be persevering with and we’ll get to bundle of options some brief time period some long run.

‘We’ve obtained no downside with going decelerate the hill. Most of us already do.”

Picture: AAP/Kelly Barnes

Koutsantonis mentioned modelling for a decreased restrict had proved ineffective prior to now, however could be revisited.

“The long run answer I feel everybody agrees on is we’ve obtained to coach drivers who’re utilizing a decline, tips on how to tips on how to navigate with decline safely,” he mentioned.

“We will put it all of the infrastructure we like. However ultimately, it is a poorly designed street that solely has one consequence should you’re not within the applicable gear ratio, and that’s a catastrophic consequence except you utilize an arrester mattress.”

He mentioned freeways questions of safety had been based mostly primarily round smaller heavy autos and first time customers.

“The freight business and the trucking business in South Australia overwhelmingly good company residents, they know tips on how to use this street they usually use it exceptionally effectively,” he mentioned.

Koutsantonis mentioned the discussion board additionally ‘checked out’ the potential of having vans completely in a single lane, and a bypass for vans.

“We have now talked a couple of bypass however the fact is a big a part of the freight coming down the southeast freeway is native freight,” he mentioned.

“A bypass is a part of the answer, however it’s not all the answer”

Koutsantonis mentioned authorities transport officers would mannequin a 3rd arrester mattress, however there have been questions on its probably effectiveness.

“In my view and the division’s opinion is there are two [arrester beds] earlier up, they aren’t getting used. Why is the third yet one more probably for use?” he mentioned.

“However then once more, it’s all about minimising dangers and giving folks choices on the final minute.”