Trucks are to be banned from the far right-hand lane on the Monash Freeway in a trial to improve safety.
From Monday 5 February, restrictions will apply to trucks travelling in both directions on the Monash Freeway between Huntingdale Road, Mount Waverley and Jacksons Road, Noble Park.
Truck lane restrictions improve safety by reducing the number of lane changes undertaken by cars and trucks.
Permanent restrictions currently apply along the Princes Highway from Melbourne to Geelong and along sections of the Eastern Freeway.
This trial will specifically test the effectiveness of lane restrictions on the Monash Freeway, which has the highest concentration of heavy vehicles of any freeway or highway in Victoria.
The trial ban of trucks from the far right-hand lane is the second stage of an overall project to improve safety on the Monash Freeway, after a separate trial of reduced speed limits for heavy vehicles concluded in March 2017.
Feedback from the 9-month trial will help inform the decision of whether to permanently apply the restrictions and can be provided at engage.vicroads.vic.gov.au/monashfreeway.
Drivers are reminded to keep a safe distance behind other vehicles at all times and not to cut in front of heavy vehicles which require much longer braking distances.
If drivers need to travel below the speed limit, they should always drive in the left-hand lanes to improve traffic flow by allowing trucks and other vehicles to travel at the speed limit without changing lanes.
Quotes Attributable to Acting Premier Tim Pallas
“This trial is aimed at helping improve journeys and boosting safety for all drivers.”
“We know that the most common cause of crashes on the Monash involve lane changes and side swipes – we want to see this reduced and that’s what this trial is all about.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“The Monash is the perfect place for this trial - over 200,000 trips are made by drivers on the Monash Freeway each day with 40,000 of those made by heavy vehicles.”
“We will continue to explore innovative ways to make journeys as safe and reliable as possible.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Transport Association CEO, Peter Anderson
“We fully support the implementation of this trial on the Monash Freeway to improve safety, productivity and efficiency of moving freight through Melbourne.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020