Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is calling for people to slow down and take care around road works after several dangerous incidents over the past few weeks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An RMS spokesperson said there were two separate incidents in Batemans Bay last week.
"Three vehicles were involved in a traffic collision on the Princes Highway just south of Batemans Bay last week," they said. "This followed an earlier incident at the same work-site where a member of the public drove into the work zone over the reduced speed limit.
"They eventually abandoned the vehicle after it became stuck in an excavated area."
RMS traffic controller, Mark Bush, was on site during the Batemans Bay incidents.
"We all want to go home at the end of the day, and if motorists stick to the reduced speed limit and follow our directions, we can make sure we all get home safely," he said.
READ MORE
Director of Regional Maintenance, John Dinan, said while work is necessary to build new roads and keep our existing ones safe, road work can be risky for both motorists and workers.
"This is a timely reminder to motorists to take extra care around road work, and adjust their driving to the changed road and traffic conditions," he said. "Even if there are no road workers in sight, it doesn't mean there are no risks while driving through the area.
"Slowing down around roadworks generally only adds a minute or two to journey times, but greatly improves safety for road users and road workers," Mr Dinan said.
Mr Dinan said potential hazards at road-work sites can include uneven road surfaces, loose gravel and stones, excavated areas, narrow lanes, changed lane merges and configurations, changed or no line markings, reduced road shoulders, traffic safety barriers, and work vehicles entering the site.
"Reduced speed zones and other changed traffic conditions are put in place for a reason - so everyone gets home safely - motorists and road workers," he said.
Mr Dinan said 13 road workers were involved in significant incidents over a 12-month period in 2017/18.
"Road workers feel concerned for their and the traveling public's safety when motorists ignore traffic control devices and signs put in place to manage risks associated with work near traffic," he said.
"Precautions motorists should take around work sites include slowing down to the reduced speed limit, driving to match the conditions, looking out for road workers, following road worker instructions, following the direction of all signs and keeping a safe distance from all vehicles, barriers, equipment, orange cones and road workers.
"We must all work together to do everything in our power to push the number of deaths and crashes on NSW roads towards zero."