The 'stupid' reason drivers are suddenly stopping at new tunnel entrance
Drivers on Sydney’s new WestConnex M4 are being warned over their behaviour following a spate of dangerous incidents since its opening last month.
Shocking footage obtained by Nine News shows two drivers on separate occasions reversing from the entrance of the tunnel in a bid to avoid the toll cost.
The two cars are shown causing a hazardous situation as they slowly reverse, with the Transurban incident response vehicle forced to respond to remove the immediate danger and risk of a crash.
One of the vehicles, a Mercedes, refuses to budge and the 25-minute ordeal only ends once a police officer on a motorbike arrives and the driver sheepishly moves on.
The WestConnex toll cost sits at a fixed fee of $1.32 plus an additional $0.49 per kilometre.
The new tunnel between Homebush and Haberfield, which opened on July 13, has already had 300 incidents detected by its control room which boasts 750 cameras that make sure everything runs smoothly.
Transport minister Andrew Constance had stern words for any driver thinking of risking the lives of others on the road.
"You'll either kill yourself or somebody else, it's that simple. Don't do it. Just drive through the tunnel and worry about the $3 or $4 or $ 5 in terms of toll later," he said.
“We don't need people doing stupid things. It defies logic."
The first part of the controversial project, which has faced strong opposition from nearby residents, allows drivers to bypass 22 sets of traffic lights and cuts travel time by up to 45 minutes.
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