NSW Police will combine with Transport For NSW to target dangerous motorist behaviour at railway crossings in the Orana region during a two-week enforcement and awareness operation.
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Officers will be patrolling level crossings in the Dubbo area between Tuesday, October 2 and Monday, October 15 in a bid to avoid any additions to the 144 collisions between trains and road vehicles at NSW level crossings between July 2001 and June 2018.
The operation will include an awareness blitz with reminders dropped into local letterboxes, mobile signage and a media campaign. There will also be high visibility enforcement to ensure level crossing road and rail users remain safe.
Everyone should be cautious around level crossings and be aware of their surroundings. Just a single moment of distraction or recklessness can cost lives. Failing to stop at a level crossing or queuing across a railway line can be devastating.
Injuries and loss of life are just unacceptable. We all have a duty of care when driving not only for ourselves, our passengers, other road users but also train passengers and crew.
Senior Sergeant Mick Timms, from the NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said the speed of motorists approaching level crossings will be a focus.
“All motorists should slow down as they approach level crossings, so they have a chance to stop if necessary,” he said.
The penalty for disobeying controls at a level crossing is three demerit points and a $448 fine.
Contract for LH Ford Bridge
Work will begin next month to strengthen the main bridge that connects the western part of Dubbo to the CBD.
Roads and Maritime Services today announced Freyssinet Australia Pty Ltd. has been awarded the contract to strengthen the LH Ford Bridge.
The NSW Government has provided $10 million for this work to increase the life of the bridge, improve safety for road users and increase efficiency of the road network.
The 613-metre long reinforced concrete bridge was first opened to the public in 1969 and at that time was the fourth longest highway bridge in NSW.
Work on the bridge will include building two new piers within the Macquarie River to better support the span over the river.” Connecting the new piers to the bridge deck and adjusting the bridge barriers will require some changed traffic conditions.
The upgrade work is due to start in late October this year and added the community will be notified of any impacts to traffic as work progresses.
For more information on other projects under way visit: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/western-nsw/dubbo-projects/index.html.
