By Casey Neill
A Dandenong lawyer says a freeway truck ban could boost safety but that simply paying attention would cut crashes.
Acting Premier Tim Pallas announced that trucks would be banned from the far right-hand lane on the Monash from Monday 5 February in a nine-month trial to improve safety.
The restrictions will apply to trucks travelling in both directions between Huntingdale Road, Mount Waverley, and Jacksons Road, Noble Park.
“We know that the most common cause of crashes on the Monash involve lane changes and side swipes – we want to see this reduced and that’s what this trial is all about,” Mr Pallas said.
The Monash has the highest concentration of heavy vehicles of any freeway or highway in Victoria.
“Over 200,000 trips are made by drivers on the Monash Freeway each day with 40,000 of those made by heavy vehicles,” Roads and Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan said.
Victorian Transport Association CEO Peter Anderson said supported the trial.
Tamara Wright, from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers in Dandenong, also welcomed the ban.
She represents people injured on the roads in Dandenong and Cranbourne.
“Too often I meet with people injured in high speed accidents caused by vehicles changing lanes or side-swipes,” Ms Wright said.
“I am relieved that this new trial ban may lead to greater safety outcomes.”
But she said that one of the most common causes of accidents on high-speed roads in the South-East was drivers not paying attention to the traffic in front of them.
“I have multiple clients who have been injured while slowing with traffic on an 80km or 100km road when the vehicle behind them has failed to stop,” Ms Wright said.
“Some of these accidents occurred on the Monash and in addition to causing serious physical injuries, can also lead to great psychological stress.”
Feedback from the trial will help to decide whether to permanently apply the restrictions and can be provided at engage.vicroads.vic.gov.au/monashfreeway.
Permanent restrictions currently apply along the Princes Highway from Melbourne to Geelong and along sections of the Eastern Freeway.
