Barton blitz starts today

MOTORISTS will notice more police on the Barton Highway for two weeks from today, as Yass Valley Council and the NSW Police highway patrol team up to blitz speeding motorists.

The blitz is part of a campaign to lower the number of accidents which occur on the Barton.

Yass Valley Council said the campaign appears to be working with preliminary figures showing a decrease in crash numbers since its inception five years ago.

“This campaign is showing results. Each year for five years now, we have combined advertising messages with increased police enforcement to address high crash rates on the Barton Highway,” Yass Valley Council road safety officer Melissa Weller said.

“Barton crash numbers recorded with speed as a factor have fallen from 15.3 per cent in 2009-2013 (five-year data set), with 2010-2014 preliminary data indicating a low of 13.5 per cent.”

She said although this was a good result, there was still room for improvement in motorist behaviour. The number of crashes which involved speeding were still too high, averaging 26 crashes per year, resulting in 22 injuries and at least one death annually.

Ms Weller said someone who could attest to the devastating effects of a crash was  22-year-old local woman Sam Longmore, who had a fatigue-related crash on the Barton in 2013 which caused a permanent spinal injury.

“I had been working night shifts in Canberra, I thought I was fine to drive but what I should have done is stayed with a friend instead of driving straight home,” Ms Longmore said.

“My message to others is don’t take the risk because when something like this happens, you never take life for granted again.

“No one is invincible – if you are feeling tired, think first before you drive.”

Yass Highway Patrol senior constable Mat Carroll said police will focus on speed, fatigue and mobile phone users.

“Yass police will continue to work in partnership with Yass Valley Council for the Barton Highway enforcement campaigns.

“We will maintain a visible presence on the Barton to ensure the safety of road users. During this enforcement period we will be focusing on not only speed, but fatigue, mobile phone use and impaired drivers.”

Increased patrols will continue until June 1.