New 40 km speed limit NSW when blue & red lights are flashing on roadside - Page 2

Trevor 57 · 03-09-2018, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

What was the reason for this law ? Don't remember any ambos etc being killed ?

A police officer was killed on the Hume Highway near Benalla a few years ago, Rennie Page was his name. One death is one too many, one near miss is just a millimeter away from being a death - what is your rush? Can't afford to loose 30 seconds of your trip? Put yourself in their place. I have worked as a volunteer emergency service responder and I can tell you it ain't fun out there

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-04-2...ticket/1558384

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-04-2...by-car/1558504

xxx000 · 03-09-2018, 12:37 PM

There have been many injuries and even more near misses involving emergency service workers and civilians.
The red or blue lights mean there's an issue which may require you to even stop.

MAGPIE · 03-09-2018, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxx000

There have been many injuries and even more near misses involving emergency service workers and civilians.
The red or blue lights mean there's an issue which may require you to even stop.

Yep a reasonably simple concept I would have thought, I instinctively slow down anyway when I see flashing lights just out of consideration to those trying to do their job.

Its not a nice feeling to be almost cleaned up by an idiot motorist gawking at the accident scene your trying to work at, I learnt very early on to never turn your back to traffic if you can help it.

Wretched · 03-09-2018, 01:41 PM

If safety is the issue then it should also extend to all road side activities. I mean at least emergency services have light flashing to alert people, most civilians only have hazard lights and inexperience around safe exit out of a car and dealing with the issue on the side of the road.

GCRXR6 · 03-09-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

Most people slow down anyway to have a look . What was the reason for this law ? Don't remember any ambos etc being killed ?

Yes...thank goodness. But I've come close to being cleaned up while attending to a patient at an RTC...close to you by the way.

Trevor 57 · 03-09-2018, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

If safety is the issue then it should also extend to all road side activities. I mean at least emergency services have light flashing to alert people, most civilians only have hazard lights and inexperience around safe exit out of a car and dealing with the issue on the side of the road.

there is a discussion around extending it to orange flashing lights as well, I think W.A. may have already gone there

Ben73 · 03-09-2018, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

A police officer was killed on the Hume Highway near Benalla a few years ago, Rennie Page was his name. One death is one too many, one near miss is just a millimeter away from being a death - what is your rush? Can't afford to loose 30 seconds of your trip? Put yourself in their place. I have worked as a volunteer emergency service responder and I can tell you it ain't fun out there

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-04-2...ticket/1558384

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-04-2...by-car/1558504

No one cares about tow truck drivers or NRMA or anyone assisting with broken down cars?
A tow truck driver and civilian were killed few years ago on a NSW highway, so why doesn't the law apply to them as well? Do their lives not matter because the colour of their vehicle lights is wrong?
I guess police won't be around to issues fines at broken down cars so why make a road law that won't make revenue.

I have no issue slowing for actual incidents. I do that already without any law telling me I have to. Sometimes I slow to 20, sometimes 60, sometimes 40. It's pretty easy to drive to the conditions. A police traffic stop is not set in stone. If the police feel unsafe why can't they move the stop to a safer place?
It has already been reported that highway patrol have been sitting with lights flashing and not another vehicle or incident in sight. It's probably the same HP officer that sits on the side of the road with his right wheels sitting on the line between the shoulder and left lane on the highway, then fines people for failing to keep left when they move into the right lane to give him some breathing space.

pottery beige · 03-09-2018, 08:59 PM

how many kents in here would love random dudes flying past them in their workplace cranking 60, 80, 100...?

prydey · 03-09-2018, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

how many kents in here would love random dudes flying past them in their workplace cranking 60, 80, 100...?

How many would whinge if a paramedic refused to try to save a family member or friend etc, until the area was 'safe'??

Or a firey refusing to work until the area was safe?

It's really not that difficult to slow down. If you can't stop within your line of sight perhaps you aren't driving to the conditions.

pottery beige · 03-09-2018, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

How many would whinge if a paramedic refused to try to save a family member or friend etc, until the area was 'safe'??

Or a firey refusing to work until the area was safe?

It's really not that difficult to slow down. If you can't stop within your line of sight perhaps you aren't driving to the conditions.

ease up mate, everyones busy bashing po po in this thread

prydey · 03-09-2018, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

ease up mate, everyones busy bashing po po in this thread

Some of the boys in blue earn their reputation, but they would be minority. You couldn't pay me enough to deal with what they have to deal with.

We're all human beings sharing the same planet. Life is precious. Some people need to slow down and smell the roses so to speak.

Trevor 57 · 04-09-2018, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

there is a discussion around extending it to orange flashing lights as well, I think W.A. may have already gone there

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

No one cares about tow truck drivers or NRMA or anyone assisting with broken down cars?
A tow truck driver and civilian were killed few years ago on a NSW highway, so why doesn't the law apply to them as well? Do their lives not matter because the colour of their vehicle lights is wrong?
I guess police won't be around to issues fines at broken down cars so why make a road law that won't make revenue.

I have no issue slowing for actual incidents. I do that already without any law telling me I have to. Sometimes I slow to 20, sometimes 60, sometimes 40. It's pretty easy to drive to the conditions. A police traffic stop is not set in stone. If the police feel unsafe why can't they move the stop to a safer place?

this post was above yours, I am not sure if you saw it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

If the police feel unsafe why can't they move the stop to a safer place?
It has already been reported that highway patrol have been sitting with lights flashing and not another vehicle or incident in sight. It's probably the same HP officer that sits on the side of the road with his right wheels sitting on the line between the shoulder and left lane on the highway, then fines people for failing to keep left when they move into the right lane to give him some breathing space.

it is all a big ploy to get your money - really????? Am I misreading this part of your post?

Ben73 · 04-09-2018, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

this post was above yours, I am not sure if you saw it

it is all a big ploy to get your money - really????? Am I misreading this part of your post?

No, the intentions are good. Emergency service people and people assisting with broken down vehicles should be safe. No one is arguing that.

Problem is some certain police cannot be trusted and will abuse this to get their 5 fines an hour.
That might not be an official quota, but I have heard off a HP officer that his supervisor brings people in who don't write enough tickets and says they should be writing 5 an hour.

csv8 · 04-09-2018, 09:26 PM

The fine is excessive just an excuse revenue raising. Example of motorists being used as cash cows.

Junkyard-Dog · 04-09-2018, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

how many kents in here would love random dudes flying past them in their workplace cranking 60, 80, 100...?

Anyone that jumps on the forklift at work seems to take it as a personal challenge to do just that.

.:4:. · 04-09-2018, 11:16 PM

I can understand the reasoning behind the thing. Everybody has a job and you should be able to go home in the same shape as when you arrived at work. I dont know how enforcible the law can be. Kind of like indicating out of roundabouts. Didnt have to do it when i got my licence and never have. Never seen a police car do it either. Over the years on occasion working in car parks doing the right thing blocking off sections with bollards and caution tape and going extra with parking the ute with hazzards on and the orange strobe ive still had to get into the arguements with imbosiles who drive around the car and through the bollards and go me for the damage to their cars. I shut them down really quick. Im not polite about it either. There is a lot of feux safety out there but some things genuinely look out for people.

Trevor 57 · 05-09-2018, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

That might not be an official quota, but I have heard off a HP officer that his supervisor brings people in who don't write enough tickets and says they should be writing 5 an hour.

There is an active Vict HP policeman who posts regularly on another forum on which I post, he is quite clear when he says that he approaches it with 'common sense', he states he has no such quota to work to, he will book obvious breaches if he has time, he says if people are making a genuine attempt then he will let it be

Trevor 57 · 05-09-2018, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

The fine is excessive just an excuse revenue raising. Example of motorists being used as cash cows.

I bet you are one who demands a 'safe workplace' but it appears you are denying others the same privilege

Do Australia a favour and go and join a volunteer emergency service and attend some road accidents and put yourself in harms way, just as you think others should

Sheeeesh, some people can't spare the odd 10 seconds here and there to help keep someone safe at work

mike_nofx · 05-09-2018, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

how many kents in here would love random dudes flying past them in their workplace cranking 60, 80, 100...?

Drag strip marshalls?

Trevor 57 · 05-09-2018, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Drag strip marshalls?

Used to happen all the time when I was (circuit) race car officialling - but there was always more than one of us at a clean up scene, and some had the role to cover our butts while we worked

mick taylor · 05-09-2018, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Yep a reasonably simple concept I would have thought, I instinctively slow down anyway when I see flashing lights just out of consideration to those trying to do their job.

Its not a nice feeling to be almost cleaned up by an idiot motorist gawking at the accident scene your trying to work at, I learnt very early on to never turn your back to traffic if you can help it.

Plenty of people holding the stop sign have been hit by twerps driving slow as well that I know of.

EgoFG · 05-09-2018, 12:58 PM

I know there are probably enforcement issues, but .....

As with School zones, I believe the law should be "30kph below the surrounding speed limit, or 40kph whichever is faster"

40kph on some country 100/110 zones could be very hard/unsafe around a blind corner.

Interestingly, the lights may be off by the time the emergency vehicle is in your line of sight, but there could be cars in front that already slowed down.

I wonder how that law would/should apply to slow emergency patient transport with flashing lights - have come across this several times - delicate patient being transferred I guess. Eg patient transport ambulance is 50kph in 100 zone with three lanes

prydey · 05-09-2018, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EgoFG

40kph on some country 100/110 zones could be very hard/unsafe around a blind corner.

so don't do 100/110 around a blind corner....

replace 'flashing lights' with fallen tree, accident, wildlife or any other road hazard and you'll be heading straight to the scene of your own accident, regardless of any legislation.

b0son · 05-09-2018, 04:28 PM

it's easy to say only drive as far as your stopping distance allows. we take a calculated risk that there shouldn't be an obstacle around the corner.

how many people slow at an intersection with a green light and check both ways for cars running a red? virtually nobody.

pottery beige · 05-09-2018, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0son

it's easy to say only drive as far as your stopping distance allows. we take a calculated risk that there shouldn't be an obstacle around the corner.

how many people slow at an intersection with a green light and check both ways for cars running a red? virtually nobody.

dudes on motorbikes?

Ben73 · 06-09-2018, 09:12 PM

I think some people have missed the most important thing with this rule.
The reckless idiots who crash into emergency vehicles and run people over won't be slowing to 40 anyway.
The average law abiding people will be paying fines while the idiots on the road will continue killing people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

There is an active Vict HP policeman who posts regularly on another forum on which I post, he is quite clear when he says that he approaches it with 'common sense', he states he has no such quota to work to, he will book obvious breaches if he has time, he says if people are making a genuine attempt then he will let it be

I'm glad there are people out their like that. I work with two ex cops. Neither were highway patrol but I have spoke to them about traffic related issues and they are both level headed and apply common sense to road rules.

I have also heard stories of local unmarked highway patrol driving 1 metre from the rear bumper of P platers late at night following them move for move then pull them over and take their licence off them as soon as they make the smallest mistake while being intimidated.

What I want to know is if I see emergency vehicle and I brake but a cop pings me doing 71 in a 110 will I lose my licence for 3 months since that is the mandatory suspension for speeding over 30km/h in NSW?
If the 'not slowing to 40' fine is a stand alone fine I'd be annoyed but I could handle that, a mandatory lose of licence is what I wouldn't be happy about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0son

it's easy to say only drive as far as your stopping distance allows. we take a calculated risk that there shouldn't be an obstacle around the corner.

how many people slow at an intersection with a green light and check both ways for cars running a red? virtually nobody.

What do you mean? most commenters on DashCam Owners Australia Facebook page stop at green lights and treat them as a giveaway signs apparently.

pottery beige · 06-09-2018, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

I think some people have missed the most important thing with this rule.
The reckless idiots who crash into emergency vehicles and run people over won't be slowing to 40 anyway.
The average law abiding people will be paying fines while the idiots on the road will continue killing people.

I'm glad there are people out their like that. I work with two ex cops. Neither were highway patrol but I have spoke to them about traffic related issues and they are both level headed and apply common sense to road rules.

I have also heard stories of local unmarked highway patrol driving 1 metre from the rear bumper of P platers late at night following them move for move then pull them over and take their licence off them as soon as they make the smallest mistake while being intimidated.

What I want to know is if I see emergency vehicle and I brake but a cop pings me doing 71 in a 110 will I lose my licence for 3 months since that is the mandatory suspension for speeding over 30km/h in NSW?
If the 'not slowing to 40' fine is a stand alone fine I'd be annoyed but I could handle that, a mandatory lose of licence is what I wouldn't be happy about.

What do you mean? most commenters on DashCam Owners Australia Facebook page stop at green lights and treat them as a giveaway signs apparently.

ffs

we have had this law / rule / whatever in SA for 10 -15 years now??

its no big deal

deal with it

roKWiz · 07-09-2018, 07:55 AM

Since this law was passed in Victoria last year I reckon I've seen only a couple of vehicles slow to 40 on a freeway where HWP was stopping someone for a traffic violation.(which is so rare now) Most just moves over to the fast lane and maintain their speed. According to all our local papers here even the HWP still aren't happy about this law.
I'm sorry but I don't see a traffic stop on a freeway as a emergency especially as there is plenty of places for the cop to guide the culprit off the breakdown lanes. (that is until see below)
Accidents or fire on the other hand are totally different, which any normal common sense driver would slow down for anyway.
Just staying.

Just a thought I wonder if they introduced this law to correspond with these new so called safety fencing they have been installing all along the freeways.

Yes, I do slow to 40 but I brace myself ready for the rear shunt.

You Yangs · 07-09-2018, 12:17 PM

The SARAH group has been pushing for this law for some time, whilst not fully across all responders to incidents ie towies. Peter Frazers story about losing his daughter will put some perspective on why we need this law in place.
https://www.sarahgroup.org/
Visit the website and have a read.

Wretched · 07-09-2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

there is a discussion around extending it to orange flashing lights as well, I think W.A. may have already gone there

Still don't know why it is a rule only for emergency vehicles.
IF it is such a safety issue then it should extend to ALL road side activities - emergency vehicles, tow truck and the general public changing a tyre, etc.

Really is poor form if there is a risk but is only mitigated for one group.
Either it is a threat to all road users or none.