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Many Lane Mergers Unsafe


Many Lane Mergers Unsafe

Author: NRMA MediaDate: 16 March 2010

Nearly three quarters of merges on Sydney's motorways are potentially unsafe according to an audit commissioned by NRMA Motoring & Services.

The NRMA audit analysed 124 locations across Sydney's motorways where traffic merged onto the motorway or where lanes ended. The audit was conducted as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce the road toll and reduce traffic congestion in Sydney.

Almost three quarters (73%) of the lanes had signs that were incorrect, inconsistent with other merges, poorly located or simply missing altogether. It also found almost one-quarter (22%) of merge lanes were too short.

The audit identified both the M5 east outbound and citybound entries from Marsh Street as two of the worst merging locations for motorists. Others areas singled out were the: Southern Cross Drive southbound entry from General Holmes Drive before the airport tunnel; and The M4 westbound entry from Concord Road.

NRMA President Wendy Machin said the report outlined some simple steps that would make Sydney's motorways safer, reduce congestion and vehicle emissions.

"Too often we see examples where merge lanes have been squeezed in without any real consideration for how this impacts on traffic - missing and incorrect signs and lane markings can make the situation much worse," Ms Machin said.

"Although motorways are, on the whole, the safest class of roads in NSW, high speed traffic means that even minor accidents can cause a dangerous pile up.

"Once you have a hold up on busy motorways such as the M2, M4 or M5 in peak periods, the traffic jam can build up at the rate of 1.5km every minute.

"Motorists need to have enough warning to allow them to adjust their speed so that traffic is able to merge safely - if someone unfamiliar with the road is faced with these situations then it could lead to a mistake being made at high speed."

The NRMA wants the RTA to take simple steps to improve safety around merging traffic, such as improving the signage, removing obstructions so that motorists have a better view of the traffic they are merging into and providing longer merging lanes.

"At a time when there is such a focus on reducing the road toll, this audit highlights simple improvements in road design and maintenance to keep motorists safe," Ms Machin said.

"By improving the signage, removing obstructions so that motorists have a better view of the traffic they are merging into and providing longer merging lanes we can help reduce the potential for crashes at these points and make traffic flow more smoothly."

A copy of the audit is available here.

Contact: Peter Khoury 0439 133 115

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