The NSW Minns Labor State Government is boasting that it is boosting support for truck drivers on regional roads as part of its $11.9 million investment to improve rest areas.
Transport for NSW claims it has marked 14 new green reflector sites which it says is aimed at increasing the number of identifiable safe rest stop options for heavy vehicle drivers and to hopefully improve road safety in the state’s south,
The Government says these sites serve as an informal heavy vehicle rest area and are marked by green dot style reflectors placed on guideposts.
It says that the green reflectors, mounted on roadside guide posts, are a simple tool to help heavy vehicles drivers easily identify appropriate, informal heavy vehicle rest stop opportunities, particularly at night or when visibility is poor.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said that heavy vehicle drivers have told Transport for NSW how important green reflectors are in helping to easily identify a safe place to park, rest and check their loads.
“The Minns Labor Government is listening and acting in response to the feedback we’ve received and the Green reflector sites are an important part of providing heavy vehicle rest stopping opportunities along NSW’s State Road network,” said the Minister.
“Marking these sites with green reflectors is a practical measure that supports the wellbeing of our truck drivers who play a crucial role in keeping our supply chains moving, and the 14 new green reflector sites will go a long way in enabling truck drivers to stop and rest on what can be very long journeys, particularly at night,” Minister Aitchison said.
The Government says that work is complete on the delivery of new green reflector sites along important freight routes across the state, including 0n the Burley Griffin Way 4, 8 and 10 kilometres north of Binalong, 17 kilometres north of Yass on the Lachlan Valley Way, three kilometres south of Bemboka on the Snowy Mountains Highway, and on the Princes Highway, five kilometres south of Cobargo.
Other sites include on the Olympic Highway, eight kilometres south of Cootamundra and five kilometres north of Bethungra, four kilometres west of Weethalle on the Mid-Western Highway, two kilometres north of Narrandera and 18 kilometres south of Ardlethan on the Newell Highway, 13 kilometres north of Cooma on the Monaro Highway and at three paces on the Hume, four kilometres south of Bowning and seven kilometres north of Yass as well as 10 kilometres north of Little Billabong.
Road safety advocate and Past National Road Freighters Association President Rod Hannifey said the the rollout of more green reflect sites is a big win for heavy vehicle drivers.
“Green reflector sites have made a real difference out on the road. Another driver told me it had saved their life. It’s such a simple idea, but it’s already saving lives, there just aren’t enough rest stops for truck drivers across Australia, so this initiative in NSW is a huge help. It gives drivers a clear signal of where they can safely pull up and take a break, Hannifey said.
“This project is definitely welcomed by the industry, and we’re looking forward to seeing more of these sites rolled out over time,” he added.
Transport for NSW says the delivery of the new green reflector sites has come through the $11.9 million Heavy Vehicle Rest Stop Minor Works Program which it says is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing efforts to improve road safety.
The NSW Government says that in addition to this investment, that it will also continue to roll out around $1 billion in road infrastructure upgrades through its Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and the joint federal/ state funded Road Safety Program.
The NSW Government says it also introduced a number of measures in 2024 which it claims it will continue or expand in 2025, including a trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles, a doubling roadside enforcement sites for mobile speed cameras, seatbelt enforcement via its existing mobile phone cameras, its demerit point return trial that it claims encourages safe driving and the signing of the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the Commonwealth Government.
Transport for NSW has also removed a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months as well as implementing recommendations from the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce in an effort to stamp out rorting of the system mainly byvisiting foreign nationals
The Government says that it has added around 2,700 new sites where its roadside enforcement cameras can be deployed but that total enforcement hours will remain the same
Transport says it is also exploring opportunities to establish additional new green reflector sites and industry feedback is guiding this work.
More information about green reflector sites is available here: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2024/Green-Reflector-Sites-in-NSW-Factsheet-August-2024.pdf and more details about heavy vehicle rest area improvements is available atwww.transport.nsw.gov.au/hvrsimprovements
:
