Police video of braking truck shows danger of new road rule
A video showing how a police officer was almost hit by a truck is raising speculation a new law forcing motorists to slow down for emergency vehicles could be scrapped amid safety fears.
Since September 1, New South Wales drivers have been subjected to the “go slow” rule, requiring them to lower their speed to 40km/h when passing a stationary emergency vehicle has its lights flashing.
But new footage from a police highway patrol officer’s helmet camera has emerged showing a truck slamming its brakes on December 28 near Ballina while driving at highway speeds.
Having suddenly realised he was supposed to have slowed his rig from 110km/h to 40km/h, the truck driver can be seen veering into the next lane while trying to brake before the vehicle skids for 60 metres.
The semi-trailer is over-correcting, barely missing a car that has been pulled over at the side of the road with a second police officer also almost hit in the process.
“If you’ve got a fully loaded truck, having to slow down very quickly down to 40km/h you might end up with an outcome that is anything but safe,” Simon O’Hara, from Road Freight NSW, said.
The NRMA initially supported the trial of the new road rule.
“The policy was meant to, and should have, included the NRMA because we have seen the dangers first-hand,” NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury told 7 News.
“Obviously there are some problems here. Clearly we need a bit of a reboot… We need to start reviewing this quickly.”
The 12-month trial had bipartisan support when it started in September.
Truck drivers cannot stand it, neither can police who the rules were designed for in the first place.
Even senior members of the government privately concede it is potentially dangerous but the trial continues.
“We take this law very seriously and we will look at all evidence as part of our 12-month trial,” NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said.
The National Road Transport Association’s Richard Calver added: “We’re very lucky at the moment that there hasn’t been something more severe.”
Motorists who break the ‘go slow’ rule risk losing three demerit points and $448 in fines.
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