A SEMI-trailer accident on the northern approach to Captain Cook Bridge on Saturday morning has led to calls for a cut in the speed limit.
There were major traffic delays from about 7.45am after the trailer section of the vehicle toppled as it navigated a sweeping bend on Rocky Point Road at Sans Souci, spilling tonnes of soil across across both sides of the roadway.
The situation was compounded by a subsequent collision between several vehicles on the northbound deck of the bridge as motorists were jockeying to get through.
Traffic queued for kilometres, with police redirecting motorists to Tom Uglys Bridge before the road was fully reopened after about two hours.
Tow trucks were able to winch the trailer upright, and an earth moving machine helped remove the spilled soil.
Andrew Czech, who lives in a home unit on the bend, was working at his computer when he heard ‘‘loud bangs’’ as the trailer tipped and crashed over the recently installed, elevated concrete median strip.
He said the 70km/h speed limit was too high for that section of road, and should be reduced to 50km/h.
‘‘A lot of trucks and cars actually go faster than that because the speed limit changes just past that point to 80km/h.
‘‘I don’t know what caused this accident, but I have been concerned for a long time about the danger caused by cars trying to exit home units on the bend.
‘‘Many residents say it’s like Russian roulette trying to get out.’’
Mr Czech said visibility for approaching traffic was only about 50 metres.
‘‘A few months ago I talked to Rockdale Council about it but they said I had to contact RMS [Roads and Maritime Services],’’ he said.
PROPER ACCIDENT FEEDBACK NEEDED
It was the second serious truck accident at the Georges River crossing in two months.
On September 5 two people escaped serious injury when a car, which had broken down on Captain Cook Bridge, caught fire after a truck ploughed into it from the rear.
Miranda resident Phil Gannon, who was delayed after Saturday’s crash, said authorities needed to do more to publicise the causes of accidents that created widespread public inconvenience, so that drivers were held accountable and lessons could be learned.
‘‘You get these situations of chaos on the roads, but then you never hear anything more about what action has been taken,’’ he said.
Do you think speed limits should be reduced in the area? If not, what do you think is the best way to fix the traffic problems?
