WIRE BARRIERS NOT A SAFETY MEASURE

WADE Coleman’s letter re the wire barriers (GA 4/1) is spot on. Just how reducing the width of the emergency lanes on major highways, both left and right, can be seen as a “safety measure” is beyond most people’s understanding.

However, there is a bigger picture which needs to be addressed. VicRoads appear to be a law unto itself when it comes to decisions and the implementation of new changes.

Neither they nor the Acting Roads and Road Safety Minister, Philip Dalidakis, appear prepared to provide the research which they say they are acting on for installing the barriers.

It was recently reported that neither the CFA nor other emergency services were consulted about the installation of the barriers and the reduced access they create.

The recently introduced law making it mandatory to slow to 40km/h when passing a stopped emergency vehicle is a good idea and is the rule in many overseas countries.

But with the wire barriers in place, the emergency vehicle is more likely to be occupying at least part of the left lane, rather than just the emergency lane, so now it becomes necessary to slow and deviate to the right when passing.

That is fine, as long as you can see the emergency vehicle (no hills or corners) well ahead and there is time to slow down and not end up with a B-double in your boot. Mike Trickett, Geelong