Industry body joins state authorities to support Blue Mountains council effort
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) has launched a 12-month road safety awareness campaign that puts the onus on all road users to show ‘respect’.
The move follows consultation with the community and the heavy vehicle industry and is backed by state authorities.
The campaign, Respect – Our Code on Blue Mountains Roads,targets users of New South Wales government-controlled roads in the Blue Mountains region and stems from the 2016 Blue Mountains Heavy Vehicle Drive Neighbourly Agreement (DNA).
Mayor Mark Greenhill said the DNA Charter – endorsed by major industry participants including Road Freight NSW (RFNSW), the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and the region’s main heavy vehicle operators, as well as Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and NSW Police – encourages safe and respectful behaviour by all road users.
“Our roads are very busy with a diverse range of users – from heavy vehicles, cars and motorcycles, through to bicycles and pedestrians,” Greenhill says.
“The primary objective of the campaign is to achieve safer conditions and improved amenity on these roads across our region.”
The BMCC says Respect – Our Code on Blue Mountains Roadsreinforces good driver behaviour at all times, especially:
- keeping a safe distance between vehicles
- overtaking with care
- observing designated speed limits
- making sufficient allowance for slowing down and stopping
- exercising caution in reduced visibility conditions
- consideration for cyclists and pedestrians
- creating cleaner, quieter neighbourhoods.
As part of the campaign, promotional stickers will be available for heavy vehicles that regularly use State roads within the region.
The council will also continue to work with the heavy vehicle industry, to look at ways to reduce the impacts of heavy vehicle emissions and noise.
RFNSW general manager Simon O’Hara says engine brake noise close to residential areas can be minimised, where possible, by:
- installing mufflers designed to reduce engine brake noise
- ensuring heavy vehicle exhaust systems are in good operating condition, and
- turning off noisy engine brakes in residential areas.
“We look forward to working with stakeholders to reach the objectives of the Blue Mountains Heavy Vehicle Drive Neighbourly Agreement. Respect on our roads makes a difference. Safer roads means safer neighbourhoods,” O’Hara says.
The campaign is especially timely in the lead up to summer, but also important ongoing given the increase of heavy vehicle traffic on Blue Mountains roads.
“December and January are an incredibly busy period on our main roads, including the Great Western Highway, Bells Line of Road, Darling Causeway and Hawkesbury Road,” Greenhill says.
“We need all road users thinking about their role in ensuring our roads are safe.
“We also need to continue to work with stakeholders to minimise the impact of heavy vehicles on our roads.
“Roads and Maritime Services are forecasting a doubling of freight on the Great Western Highway and Bells Line of Road by 2031, so all work done in this area will help create cleaner and quieter neighbourhoods.”