In period of 6 days between December 2nd and 8th 2013, the number of trucks caught speeding on South Eastern Freeway reached more than 250. This was thanks to the new cameras which were fitted at Crafter and Leawood Gardens.
Police have urged truck drivers to slow down as they approach Adelaide especially because of the additional risk they carry due to their size and weight.
The following excerpt from Fullyloaded.com.au explains further:
The introduction of new safety cameras at Crafers and Leawood Gardens has seen 256 trucks caught exceeding the 60km/h limit between December 2 and 8.
South Australia Police is calling on the trucking industry to slow down when approaching Adelaide as two truck were caught travelling at 95km/h.
“We’re concerned that some motorists are not aware that the cameras are capable of detecting them at variable speeds,” Police Superintendent Bob Fauser says.
“Trucks speeding, no matter how far over the limit, pose an additional safety risk due to their size and weight.”
“We’ve seen more extremely serious accidents involving heavy vehicles on this stretch of the road. I implore all heavy vehicles to slow right down on their approach to Adelaide.”
Source: https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/1312/new-speed-cameras-catch-out-lead-out-truck-drivers.
The new cameras were implemented at the beginning of December and as many truckies are yet unaware of is that these cameras are capable of distinguishing between a car and a heavy vehicle.
Perhaps even more concerning is the fact that most of those detected speeding by the new cameras, around 80 per cent did so when the speed limit had been lowered because of bad conditions or traffic congestion. Sadly most of these were trucks (63 per cent).
Adelaide authorities have also warned that further reductions in the speed limit will soon be implemented as road works commence, truckies need to be aware of this and adjust their speed accordingly.
As the heat continues truckies may be tempted to speed to complete their journey sooner to get out of the sun but this can have deadly results.
The post goes on to state:
“While the work will not be within the detection range of the cameras, there is a possibility that speeds will be reduced if there is a build-up of traffic congestion,” Fauser says.
“Speed is a major contributor to serious and fatal crashes and this particular stretch of road is a high risk location.”
Source: https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/1312/new-speed-cameras-catch-out-lead-out-truck-drivers.
In the mean-time, police in SA have expressed their satisfaction with this year’s road toll which is at its lowest since 1946 in the state. For 2013 just 97 people died on the states roads and this is the second consecutive year that the toll was under 100. On their website SA Police force had this to say about this year’s road death toll:
Although every road death and serious injury on our roads is one too many, it must be acknowledged that the number of fatal and serious injury crashes has been reducing steadily over a number of years now.
For the coming year the message is simple.
Distraction, speeding, dangerous driving, seatbelts and drink/drug driving still remain our worst enemies on our roads. These are the choices that people make which all too often lead to tragic consequences.
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