Authorities’ impassioned pleas for motorists to slow down

AS THE Central Coast’s road toll climbed to a tragic 16 on Saturday, authorities have made an impassioned plea for all motorists to “slow down” irrespective of the circumstances.

The Central Coast road toll since January stands at 16 after a series of recent fatal crashes including the death of teenager Jackson Williams on Willoughby Rd in Wamberal.

AS THE Central Coast’s road toll climbed to a tragic 16 on Saturday, authorities have made an impassioned plea for all motorists to “slow down” irrespective of the circumstances.

It comes after the Express Advocate’s speed-gun tests last week revealed the overwhelming majority of drivers were clocked travelling over the limit, including one doing 84.6km/h in a 50km/h zone where 17-year-old Jackson Williams was killed on July 17.

But it was a complete disregard for roadwork speed limits which has the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) worried.

A motorist was clocked travelling at 84.6km/h in a 50km/h zone on Willoughby Rd in Wamberal last week. Picture: Mark Scott

Our tests found that 92.5 per cent of drivers who were checked on Enterprise Drive at Chittaway heading through roadworks were speeding at an average of almost 15km/h over the 40km/h signposted limit.

CFMEU NSW safety co-ordinator­ Michael Presto said the risks to traffic controllers and workers was particularly high because there was very often nothing separating them and vehicles “other than a couple of witches hats”.

A high number of motorists were clocked speeding at roadworks on Enterprise Drive in Chittaway Bay last week. Picture: Mark Scott

“Workers themselves have enough to focus on with the dangerous work they are doing and the pressure they are under to meet deadlines, without having to worry about whether every single passing driver is paying attention and obeying speed limits,” he said.

He said efforts were being made to eliminate risks by installing physical barriers but it was not always possible.

“It becomes more and more dangerous for workers when all we can rely on to keep them safe is peoples’ behaviours and attentiveness, especially when two-thirds of all worker fatalities in Australia involve vehicles according to Safe Work Australia statistics,” he said.

Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman Harold Scruby said because a speed limit had to be “gazetted” for a particular stretch of road, temporary reduced road work limits were unenforceable despite signs at some sites to the contrary.

“I don’t think they’re legitimate enforceable zones,” he said.

“When are we going to get off our bums and start enforcing them? Non-enforcement of the law will encourage its disobedience.”

Meanwhile, Central Coast Council administrator Ian Reynolds said the council was committed to reducing the road toll.

Administrator Ian Reynolds, pictured alongside Council CEO Rob Noble, says road deaths are neither “acceptable or inevitable”. Picture: Sue Graham

“We will continue to work with all levels of government, emergency services and police to improve safety on our local roads,” he said.

“We are already talking to Federal Member Lucy Wicks to secure black spot funding for both Willoughby Road and Scenic Highway, the scene of two recent fatalities.

“I believe we can collectively all make a difference, but every dollar and every decision needs to count.

“No death or serious injury on our roads is acceptable or inevitable, and the whole Central Coast community must work together to address the trauma caused by everyday use of the roads — regardless of the circumstances or the people involved.

“The first thing we must do is slow down, drive to the conditions and ensure we can all get safely home to our families.”