Blue Mountains City Council has launched a 12-month road safety awareness campaign that encourages ‘respect’ on busy main roads.
Called “Respect – Our Code on Blue Mountains Roads”, the campaign targets users of state government-controlled roads in the Blue Mountains and stems from the 2016 Blue Mountains Heavy Vehicle Drive Neighbourly Agreement (DNA).
Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill said the agreement encourages safe and respectful behaviour by all road users. It was endorsed by major industry participants including Road Freight NSW, the Australian Trucking Association and the region’s main heavy vehicle operators, as well as Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and NSW Police.
“Our roads are very busy with a diverse range of users – from heavy vehicles, cars and motorcycles, through to bicycles and pedestrians,” said Cr Greenhill. “The primary objective of the campaign is to achieve safer conditions and improved amenity on these roads across our region.”
Respect – Our Code on Blue Mountains Roads reinforces good driver behaviour at all times, especially:
- Keeping a safe distance between vehicles
- Overtaking with care
- Observing designated speed limits
- Ensuring enough allowance for slowing down and stopping
- Exercising caution in reduced visibility conditions
- Considering 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. 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.
Road Freight NSW General Manager Simon O’Hara said engine brake noise close to residential areas can be minimised 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,” Mr O’Hara said.
The campaign is timely in the lead up to summer holiday traffic, but also important ongoing given the increase of heavy vehicle traffic on roads in the Blue Mountains.
“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,” Cr Greenhill said. “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 keep our roads safe and create cleaner and quieter neighbourhoods.”
For more information go to www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/roadrespect.
