Trucks restricted from the right hand lane on Princes Freeway in Victoria from July 1 this year
June 16, 2010
Trucks will be restricted from the right hand lane on the Princes Freeway between Altona North and Lara from July 1 this year, Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas says.
The restrictions mean freight travelling on the Princes Freeway will be prohibited from using the right lane from the Western Ring Road interchange to Avalon Road at Lara.
The rule will apply 24 hours a day and truck drivers will be fined up to $358 if caught breaking the law.
Signs have been erected to warn motorists of the restrictions and an education campaign will be launched to encourage motorists to share the road.
“From 1 July this year, the new restrictions will apply to all heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes (except buses and caravans) and will be enforced by Victoria Police and VicRoads Transport Safety Services,” Pallas says.
“This new measure encourages better road sharing and will therefore improve safety, while the restrictions are also expected to improve traffic flow and travel times.”
The Princes Freeway is the first route with lane restrictions, but Pallas says the Government is also looking at imposing similar conditions on EastLink, the Eastern Freeway and West Gate Freeway.
Pallas says the Government is also looking at lane restrictions for CityLink, the M1 corridor and the M80 Ring Road.
Despite cracking down on trucking operators, Pallas says the Government recognises the importance of the road freight industry.
“At the same time, it’s important our freeways operate in a safe and efficient manner and we minimise the negative impacts of freight transport. This is about every road user sharing the road efficiently and safely,” he says.