Premier outlines measures to enhance tunnel safety
The Victorian Premier has issued the following media release in regards to enhancing tunnel safety.
Click here to view the media release issued by CityLink in regards to the measures outlined by the Premier.
Click here to view the media release issued by CityLink in regards to the measures outlined by the Premier.
PREMIER OUTLINES MEASURES TO ENHANCE TUNNEL SAFETY
Changing lanes in any of Melbourne’s road tunnels will be banned as part of a package of measures to enhance safety following the recent tragic accident in the Burnley tunnel, Premier Steve Bracks announced today.
Mr Bracks said a range of measures would be introduced progressively and completed within the next 12 months.
“The accident on March 23 in the Burnley Tunnel that took the lives of three people was a terrible tragedy,” Mr Bracks said.
“Today we are acting to further improve safety in all of Victoria’s tunnels.”
Mr Bracks said immediately following the accident the government had asked VicRoads and Victoria Police to work together and advise the government on any changes that would enhance safety in and around tunnels.
Mr Bracks said the measures to be implemented included:
• Banning lane changes in tunnels (unless advised otherwise by tunnel operators or in an emergency) with a loss of three demerit points and a fine of $182 for committing the offence of changing lanes in the tunnel;
• Installing emergency barriers at the entrances to the tunnels to stop drivers continuing to enter the tunnels after a serious incident has occurred;
• Lowering the speed limit on the approach to the Burnley tunnel from 100kmh to 80kmh back to the West Gate bridge to give motorists more time to position themselves in the correct lane;
• Extending the use of variable speed signs on the approaches to tunnels to control speed in congested traffic conditions;
• Redrafting the Learner Permit handbook and test to include a specific section on safe driving practices in tunnels;
• An awareness campaign on the new changes to traffic conditions and laws in and around the tunnels.
• A major tunnel safe driving campaign jointly funded by the government, CityLink and ConnectEast focusing on the need to stay in your lane, leave a safe distance between vehicles, and not stop in tunnels.
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said while consideration was given to lowering the speed limit in the tunnels, the maximum speed in tunnels would remain at 80kph.
“Victoria Police has indicated that speed does not appear to have been a significant factor in this tragic accident. The biggest risk with driver behaviour in the tunnels is weaving and unnecessary lane changing,” he said.
“The changes we are announcing today will deliver significant enhancements to tunnel safety by eliminating lane changing and educating drivers about safe driving practices in road tunnels.”
Another measure that had been put forward for consideration was truck free lanes. However road experts advise that creating truck-free lanes on the approach to the Burnley Tunnel, which has a lot of traffic entering and exiting the network, would have created unnecessary hazards for motorists.
Mr Pallas said the crash record of the CityLink tunnels since their opening had shown that the tunnels were at least three times safer than the adjoining sections of the Westgate and Monash Freeways.
“However tunnels are a unique driving environment and the Bracks Government has not hesitated in taking the appropriate steps to improve tunnel safety,” Mr Pallas said.
Mr Pallas thanked CityLink and ConnectEast for their cooperation in implementing the changes and their commitment to road safety.
“There is no doubt that the CityLink and EastLink tunnels are among the safest in the world but we can always search for ways to improve safety and the Government is confident that the measures outlined today will deliver real benefits for all motorists.”