17 October 2014

A Community Information Session on Saturday 25 October follows the recent industry forum aimed at improving heavy vehicle safety on the South Eastern Freeway.

The State Government has introduced a number of new initiatives to improve safety on the freeway since a tragic incident in August, including reducing speed limits from Crafers to 60 km/hr for trucks and buses over 4.5 tonnes, and 90 km/hr for other vehicles.

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) has also amended signage to remind truck and bus drivers of the legal requirement to use low gear for the full length of the descent.

The industry forum on 10 October brought together Ministers, senior government officials, truck drivers, trucking companies, the South Australian Police and industry leaders to consider a range of options to improve road safety and enhance heavy vehicle safety, standards and operations.

Possible measures being considered include:

• Reducing the current speed limit for heavy vehicles from 60km/h to 40km/h
• Introducing roadworthiness into national chain of responsibility legislation
• Point-to-point cameras along the (current) 60km/h section of road
• Options for improving the national heavy vehicle roadworthiness system
• Construction of a third arrestor bed
• Covering costs of removal from arrestor beds
• Conducting an education campaign in relation to vehicles required to use low gear on the freeway descent.

The Community Information Session will be held:

• on Saturday, 25 October, 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
• at Centennial Square, Mt Barker Road, Stirling (near the pedestrian crossing).

DPTI staff will be on hand to answer questions and community members can drop in any time to find out more about the South Eastern Freeway safety review and provide their feedback on the proposed options.

For more information visit the South Eastern Freeway community consultation webpage.