8 October 2018

A 12-month trial of heavy vehicle lane restrictions will commence on 1 November.

The trial will restrict heavy vehicles to the left two lanes from Wahroonga to Kariong to improve traffic flow and safety.

Over 75,000 cars and 7,000 heavy vehicles travel between Sydney and the Central Coast every day, making it one of the busiest sections of road in NSW.

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch today announced Roads and Maritime Services will carry out a 12-month trial of heavy vehicle lane restrictions on both directions of the M1 Motorway between Wahroonga and Kariong, as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to improving road safety.

Mr Crouch said the trial is an extension of the existing heavy vehicle lane restriction signs displayed northbound from Bar Point to Kariong and southbound from Kariong to Calga and Brooklyn to Cowan.

The signs will limit trucks and buses with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) over 4.5 tonnes to the two left lanes to help improve road safety, traffic flow and increase driver comfort.

“The M1 is one of NSW’s busiest roads. More than 75,000 cars and 7,000 heavy vehicles travel between Sydney and the Central Coast every single day,” Mr Crouch said.

“This section of the M1 Motorway was chosen as it carries a large volume of heavy vehicle traffic and contains multiple uphill and downhill sections.

“The trial will start on 1 November, and will include an independent evaluation to determine the effectiveness and benefits of restricting heavy vehicles to the left lanes.”

Mr Crouch said the trial has been developed based on other similar trials.

“Results of similar trials in Victoria, Queensland and overseas have shown that when heavy vehicles are restricted from the far right lane on motorways, traffic flows more smoothly for all road users and there are fewer lane changes making the road safer for everyone,” Mr Crouch said.

“Trucks and buses will be permitted to overtake other vehicles, if it is safe to do so, but they must not travel outside the left two lanes.”

Penalties for breaching the sign-posted restrictions are up to $337 for a Penalty Notice or $2,200 for a maximum court-imposed penalty.