21 December 2011

Kings Highway gets seasonal focus

21 December 2011 | By johnboy

ACT Policing is joining forces with NSW Police Monaro Local Area Command in support of Operation Crossroads this holiday season, the second in an ongoing series of coordinated road safety initiatives to reduce road trauma across Australia and New Zealand.

One regional focus for police this holiday season is the Kings Highway, as people from Canberra, Queanbeyan and surrounding region generally head to the South Coast. With this increase in traffic volume, police will be active in their patrolling to ensure motorists are driving to the conditions and keeping to the posted speed limit.

The efforts by ACT Policing and the Monaro Command will mirror those of police throughout Australia in a national road safety campaign against dangerous driving coordinated by the national police agency, ANZPAA (Australia New Zealand Police Advisory Agency).

ACT Deputy Chief Police Officer David McLean said that the fundamental tenet of the campaign is that all road trauma is unacceptable, and that anyone who uses the road, whether a driver, motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian, has a responsibility in practising safe behaviour.

“Many deaths and road injuries are preventable. Each life saved and serious injury avoided reduces pain and suffering, and achieves important economic savings,” Commander McLean said.

“We want all road users and motorists in particular to modify and moderate their behaviour so that everyone travels safely this Christmas. To reinforce this message, police will be active with our enforcement to target risk-taking behaviour such as speeding and drink-driving.

“This time with Operation Crossroads, the theme is dangerous driving. Human beings are fallible and crashes will occur. However the extent of injury (or deaths) sustained can be reduced when we accept, comply and share the responsibility for using our roads safely,” said Commander McLean.

The widespread use of random breath testing and roadside drug-testing, as well as laser detection of speeding drivers, and close attention to unsafe or inattentive driving will form part of ACT Policing’s road safety strategy during Operation Crossroads.

The first Operations Crossroads was launched during Easter this year, when police rolled up their sleeves and donated their blood to raise awareness of road trauma and injuries. Across Australia over the Easter break, there were 20 road-related fatalities recorded, with zero in the Northern Territory and the ACT.

Deputy Chief Police Officer, David McLean said he hoped to see the same result for the ACT this Christmas holiday.

“We have had six people die on our roads this year. As far as I am concerned, that is six too many,” he said.

Operation Crossroads begins on Friday, December 23 and will continue until Tuesday, January 3.

Double demerits are effective from the first instance on Friday, December 23, 2011 until midnight Monday, January 2, 2012.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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Watson8:12 pm 30 Dec 11

astrojax said :

bitzermaloney said :

That’s all fine as long as they also:
1. enforce slow vehicles (eg. those who insist on doing 70 or 80 in a 100 zone) to allow faster vehicle past in overtaking lanes and permitted sections of the highway;

as long as they also enforce courtesy and make drivers drive to conditions they find (ie, including ‘slow’ drivers) and let these cars back in to merge when the overtaking lane runs out and not force them off the road in the haste to get past when there isn’t room.

that and f*****g tailgaters, who should be exterminated on sight…

Oh yes, the joys of the Clyde during holiday season! I normally avoid it like the plague because almost each and every driver on that road seems to have some brain injury then. But I did it last week because I was driving outside of peak times.

Still saw some doozies. The best one was the motorbike who obviously had had enough of being forced to do the speed limit and overtook 4 or 5 cars when there was a short stretch of dotted line and a line of cars coming from the opposite direction. I honestly think if I had not slowed down (couldn’t brake too hard because of the car behind me) when I realised he was going to go all the way, he would not have been able to make that last swerve right in front of my bonnet and avoid a head on collision with the oncoming traffic.

And as much as I sympathise with the sentiment that dimwits like that deserve the Darwin Award, I really never want to have someone else’s brains splattered all over my car.

You’d never be able to catch behaviour like that through road-side police actions. If however they would drive up and down in unmarked cars, they would have plenty of opportunities to book people for reckless driving. If they an catch them, that is.

I have driven that road on a calm day when it was like a dream. Slow vehicles pulling over whenever they could to let traffic pass, no one speeding up when you’re trying to overtake them and no tailgating. It’s a beautiful road if you don’t feel threatened by everyone around you.

Classified5:28 pm 30 Dec 11

jcitizen said :

Classified said :

jcitizen said :

Classified said :

Jethro said :

Mumbucks said :

Classified said :

Tooks said :

bd84 said :

Hasn’t been effective so far, already a head on collision .. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/headon-collision-on-kings-highway/2403414.aspx

What, you mean they didn’t cover every single metre of the highway? Maybe next year…

Heaven forbid people actually take some personal responsibility for their behaviour behind the wheel…

+1

Sure, if it’s a single vehicle accident.

This accident involved a car crossing into oncoming traffic. There’s not too much ‘personal responsibility’ you can take if you are doing the right thing and someone crosses into your lane and ploughs into you head-on.

Sure you can. You can see it happening, and you can drive your car out of the way, even if that means leaving the road. You can also brake hard to reduce the closing speed (and potential impact force). To simply stay in your lane, at your speed while someone closes in on you from the wrong direction, is absolutely ridiculous. Even if the person is coming over the crest of a hill at you, there is almost always time to react.

You may still be involved in an accident, the driver still still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident.

Again you are the one who is being absolutely rediculous. You are commenting on something you know nothing about.Again.

I know for a fact that the driver of the ute tried to do exactly what you say and get out of the way but the problem was that the 88 year old driver of the other vehicle tried to correct his position at the last moment and subsequently drove straight into the oncomming traffic(the ute).
The only way to avoid an accident like this one is to bring in mandatory driving tests once you have reached a certain age.
I was on the seen before any Police, Firebrigade or Ambulance and supplied the tools to remove the battery from the vehicle. I asked the ute driver what happened and he told me how he tried to avoid the collision.
I then went to the top of the hill and was warning the oncoming traffic to slow down for at least half an hour untill the Police arrived. Everybody, apart from two seperate female drivers , did slow down and proceeded with caution, even the so called yobs towing boats slowed down.

Your opinion is again based on ignorance !. To suggest that there is always time to avoid such a collision means you really do have no idea.

Please point out the bit where I said ‘there is always time’, then re-read the bit where I said ‘the driver still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident’. So you saw an accident, yes it’s sad and messy, and yes I’ve seen it before.

And before you accuse others of ignorance, please be aware that mandatory aged testing already exists.

Mandatory age testing may already exist in some form, however it did nothing in this instance.

The part where you say”You can see it happening, and you can drive your car out of the way” “to simply stay in your lane,at your speed while someone closes in on you from the wrong direction,is absolutely rediculous”. Sounds very much to me that you are suggesting that this is what occured here, and its not. the other driver did take action but it all happened too fast to avoid the collision.

I made no such suggestion. These words are yours.

Classified5:28 pm 30 Dec 11

NoImRight said :

Classified said :

Jethro said :

Mumbucks said :

Classified said :

Tooks said :

bd84 said :

Hasn’t been effective so far, already a head on collision .. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/headon-collision-on-kings-highway/2403414.aspx

What, you mean they didn’t cover every single metre of the highway? Maybe next year…

Heaven forbid people actually take some personal responsibility for their behaviour behind the wheel…

+1

Sure, if it’s a single vehicle accident.

This accident involved a car crossing into oncoming traffic. There’s not too much ‘personal responsibility’ you can take if you are doing the right thing and someone crosses into your lane and ploughs into you head-on.

Sure you can. You can see it happening, and you can drive your car out of the way, even if that means leaving the road. You can also brake hard to reduce the closing speed (and potential impact force). To simply stay in your lane, at your speed while someone closes in on you from the wrong direction, is absolutely ridiculous. Even if the person is coming over the crest of a hill at you, there is almost always time to react.

You may still be involved in an accident, the driver still still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident.

The assumption and moral superiority is strong in this one.

Says the person who’s username is No I’m Right…

astrojax1:58 pm 30 Dec 11

bitzermaloney said :

That’s all fine as long as they also:
1. enforce slow vehicles (eg. those who insist on doing 70 or 80 in a 100 zone) to allow faster vehicle past in overtaking lanes and permitted sections of the highway;

as long as they also enforce courtesy and make drivers drive to conditions they find (ie, including ‘slow’ drivers) and let these cars back in to merge when the overtaking lane runs out and not force them off the road in the haste to get past when there isn’t room.

that and f*****g tailgaters, who should be exterminated on sight…

NoImRight10:09 am 30 Dec 11

Classified said :

Jethro said :

Mumbucks said :

Classified said :

Tooks said :

bd84 said :

Hasn’t been effective so far, already a head on collision .. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/headon-collision-on-kings-highway/2403414.aspx

What, you mean they didn’t cover every single metre of the highway? Maybe next year…

Heaven forbid people actually take some personal responsibility for their behaviour behind the wheel…

+1

Sure, if it’s a single vehicle accident.

This accident involved a car crossing into oncoming traffic. There’s not too much ‘personal responsibility’ you can take if you are doing the right thing and someone crosses into your lane and ploughs into you head-on.

Sure you can. You can see it happening, and you can drive your car out of the way, even if that means leaving the road. You can also brake hard to reduce the closing speed (and potential impact force). To simply stay in your lane, at your speed while someone closes in on you from the wrong direction, is absolutely ridiculous. Even if the person is coming over the crest of a hill at you, there is almost always time to react.

You may still be involved in an accident, the driver still still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident.

The assumption and moral superiority is strong in this one.

jcitizen9:16 am 30 Dec 11

Classified said :

jcitizen said :

Classified said :

Jethro said :

Mumbucks said :

Classified said :

Tooks said :

bd84 said :

Hasn’t been effective so far, already a head on collision .. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/headon-collision-on-kings-highway/2403414.aspx

What, you mean they didn’t cover every single metre of the highway? Maybe next year…

Heaven forbid people actually take some personal responsibility for their behaviour behind the wheel…

+1

Sure, if it’s a single vehicle accident.

This accident involved a car crossing into oncoming traffic. There’s not too much ‘personal responsibility’ you can take if you are doing the right thing and someone crosses into your lane and ploughs into you head-on.

Sure you can. You can see it happening, and you can drive your car out of the way, even if that means leaving the road. You can also brake hard to reduce the closing speed (and potential impact force). To simply stay in your lane, at your speed while someone closes in on you from the wrong direction, is absolutely ridiculous. Even if the person is coming over the crest of a hill at you, there is almost always time to react.

You may still be involved in an accident, the driver still still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident.

Again you are the one who is being absolutely rediculous. You are commenting on something you know nothing about.Again.

I know for a fact that the driver of the ute tried to do exactly what you say and get out of the way but the problem was that the 88 year old driver of the other vehicle tried to correct his position at the last moment and subsequently drove straight into the oncomming traffic(the ute).
The only way to avoid an accident like this one is to bring in mandatory driving tests once you have reached a certain age.
I was on the seen before any Police, Firebrigade or Ambulance and supplied the tools to remove the battery from the vehicle. I asked the ute driver what happened and he told me how he tried to avoid the collision.
I then went to the top of the hill and was warning the oncoming traffic to slow down for at least half an hour untill the Police arrived. Everybody, apart from two seperate female drivers , did slow down and proceeded with caution, even the so called yobs towing boats slowed down.

Your opinion is again based on ignorance !. To suggest that there is always time to avoid such a collision means you really do have no idea.

Please point out the bit where I said ‘there is always time’, then re-read the bit where I said ‘the driver still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident’. So you saw an accident, yes it’s sad and messy, and yes I’ve seen it before.

And before you accuse others of ignorance, please be aware that mandatory aged testing already exists.

Mandatory age testing may already exist in some form, however it did nothing in this instance.

The part where you say”You can see it happening, and you can drive your car out of the way” “to simply stay in your lane,at your speed while someone closes in on you from the wrong direction,is absolutely rediculous”. Sounds very much to me that you are suggesting that this is what occured here, and its not. the other driver did take action but it all happened too fast to avoid the collision.

p112:36 am 27 Dec 11

jcitizen said :

……

I’m glad you were there and able to help. I hope being a witness to a fatal crash like this doesn’t cause you any problems, having watched a few friends and family deal with the aftermath of such things, it can be hard (or not, some people are lucky).

The family for whom the deceased man was a loved father and grandfather live in Canberra and queenbeyan, and they occasionally read this website. For their sake, I hope you keep that in mind when posting details.

Classified8:55 pm 26 Dec 11

jcitizen said :

Classified said :

Jethro said :

Mumbucks said :

Classified said :

Tooks said :

bd84 said :

Hasn’t been effective so far, already a head on collision .. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/headon-collision-on-kings-highway/2403414.aspx

What, you mean they didn’t cover every single metre of the highway? Maybe next year…

Heaven forbid people actually take some personal responsibility for their behaviour behind the wheel…

+1

Sure, if it’s a single vehicle accident.

This accident involved a car crossing into oncoming traffic. There’s not too much ‘personal responsibility’ you can take if you are doing the right thing and someone crosses into your lane and ploughs into you head-on.

Sure you can. You can see it happening, and you can drive your car out of the way, even if that means leaving the road. You can also brake hard to reduce the closing speed (and potential impact force). To simply stay in your lane, at your speed while someone closes in on you from the wrong direction, is absolutely ridiculous. Even if the person is coming over the crest of a hill at you, there is almost always time to react.

You may still be involved in an accident, the driver still still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident.

Again you are the one who is being absolutely rediculous. You are commenting on something you know nothing about.Again.

I know for a fact that the driver of the ute tried to do exactly what you say and get out of the way but the problem was that the 88 year old driver of the other vehicle tried to correct his position at the last moment and subsequently drove straight into the oncomming traffic(the ute).
The only way to avoid an accident like this one is to bring in mandatory driving tests once you have reached a certain age.
I was on the seen before any Police, Firebrigade or Ambulance and supplied the tools to remove the battery from the vehicle. I asked the ute driver what happened and he told me how he tried to avoid the collision.
I then went to the top of the hill and was warning the oncoming traffic to slow down for at least half an hour untill the Police arrived. Everybody, apart from two seperate female drivers , did slow down and proceeded with caution, even the so called yobs towing boats slowed down.

Your opinion is again based on ignorance !. To suggest that there is always time to avoid such a collision means you really do have no idea.

Please point out the bit where I said ‘there is always time’, then re-read the bit where I said ‘the driver still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident’. So you saw an accident, yes it’s sad and messy, and yes I’ve seen it before.

And before you accuse others of ignorance, please be aware that mandatory aged testing already exists.

jcitizen7:45 pm 26 Dec 11

Classified said :

Jethro said :

Mumbucks said :

Classified said :

Tooks said :

bd84 said :

Hasn’t been effective so far, already a head on collision .. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/headon-collision-on-kings-highway/2403414.aspx

What, you mean they didn’t cover every single metre of the highway? Maybe next year…

Heaven forbid people actually take some personal responsibility for their behaviour behind the wheel…

+1

Sure, if it’s a single vehicle accident.

This accident involved a car crossing into oncoming traffic. There’s not too much ‘personal responsibility’ you can take if you are doing the right thing and someone crosses into your lane and ploughs into you head-on.

Sure you can. You can see it happening, and you can drive your car out of the way, even if that means leaving the road. You can also brake hard to reduce the closing speed (and potential impact force). To simply stay in your lane, at your speed while someone closes in on you from the wrong direction, is absolutely ridiculous. Even if the person is coming over the crest of a hill at you, there is almost always time to react.

You may still be involved in an accident, the driver still still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident.

Again you are the one who is being absolutely rediculous. You are commenting on something you know nothing about.Again.

I know for a fact that the driver of the ute tried to do exactly what you say and get out of the way but the problem was that the 88 year old driver of the other vehicle tried to correct his position at the last moment and subsequently drove straight into the oncomming traffic(the ute).
The only way to avoid an accident like this one is to bring in mandatory driving tests once you have reached a certain age.
I was on the seen before any Police, Firebrigade or Ambulance and supplied the tools to remove the battery from the vehicle. I asked the ute driver what happened and he told me how he tried to avoid the collision.
I then went to the top of the hill and was warning the oncoming traffic to slow down for at least half an hour untill the Police arrived. Everybody, apart from two seperate female drivers , did slow down and proceeded with caution, even the so called yobs towing boats slowed down.

Your opinion is again based on ignorance !. To suggest that there is always time to avoid such a collision means you really do have no idea.

jcitizen7:24 pm 26 Dec 11

Classified said :

Jethro said :

Mumbucks said :

Classified said :

Tooks said :

bd84 said :

Hasn’t been effective so far, already a head on collision .. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/headon-collision-on-kings-highway/2403414.aspx

What, you mean they didn’t cover every single metre of the highway? Maybe next year…

Heaven forbid people actually take some personal responsibility for their behaviour behind the wheel…

+1

Sure, if it’s a single vehicle accident.

This accident involved a car crossing into oncoming traffic. There’s not too much ‘personal responsibility’ you can take if you are doing the right thing and someone crosses into your lane and ploughs into you head-on.

Sure you can. You can see it happening, and you can drive your car out of the way, even if that means leaving the road. You can also brake hard to reduce the closing speed (and potential impact force). To simply stay in your lane, at your speed while someone closes in on you from the wrong direction, is absolutely ridiculous. Even if the person is coming over the crest of a hill at you, there is almost always time to react.

You may still be involved in an accident, the driver still still has responsibility to do all they can to avoid and/or minimise the accident.