So far this year there have been four fatal crashes on the Hume Highway.
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In the 10 years to 2016 there were 325 casualty crashes recorded on the Hume Highway south of the Avon Dam Road overpass, Bargo and north of George Street overpass, Marulan. These crashes resulted in 17 fatalities.
Sadly, behind every single road toll statistic is a grieving family.
In the wake of two recent truck crashes, Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said “we are doing everything we can to move towards zero fatalities involving heavy vehicles.”
“It’s important to remember that both heavy vehicle drivers and other road users need to be especially careful when they encounter each other on the road because crashes involving heavy trucks are more serious due to their size and weight.”
A Roads and Maritime Services spokesperson said the RMS is continually monitoring the NSW road network to ensure safety for all road users.
Under the Safer Roads Program, $1 million in 2017-18 has been allocated to improvements along the Hume Highway between Bargo and Goulburn.
“[The funds will be used for] safety improvements such as median barrier treatments, vegetation removal for improved motorist sight lines and line marking adjustments at four locations on the Hume Highway between Bargo and Goulburn.”
Roads and Maritime follows an investigation process after a fatal crash occurs, with the aim being to create immediate and long term preventative solutions.
The process involves site investigations as well as consideration of police reports, crash history and other contributing factors in order to identify immediate and longer term solutions as well as funding sources, such as the Federal Blackspot Program or the Fatal Crash Response Program.
Mr Carlon also reminded people to be aware of their own behaviours on the roads.
“Motorists need to remember that every time they get behind the wheel they are responsible not only for their own lives but the lives of every driver, rider or pedestrian they come into contact with,” he said.
“Drivers who speed, drink drive or push through when they need to take a break are not only risking their own lives but everyone else’s on the roads.”
Education is key to driver safety and Roads and Maritime carries out driver education programs for TAFE students and drivers aged 65+ to ensure safe behaviours are ingrained in drivers at a formative age.