Some of the country’s most dangerous smashes and near misses have been revealed, as a road worker begs drivers to pay attention after his wife was killed by a distracted driver.
Frightening footage, released by Main Roads, shows cars slamming into the back of clearly-signed roadwork vehicles and swerving dangerously as they approach.
Tow truck driver Jim Hall pleaded with drivers to pay greater attention near road workers, four years after his wife was killed by a distracted driver.
Frightening footage, released by Main Roads, shows cars slamming into the back of clearly-signed roadwork vehicles
Mr Hall’s wife Abbie was hit and killed while collecting a broken down car in Perth.
‘Everyday in the morning you turn the key and think “OK let’s see if we can make it home tonight”,’ Mr Hall told Seven News on Wednesday.
Main Roads’ Operations Director Peter Sewell said he was surprised no road workers had lost their lives in the three years since.
Main Roads introduced crash cushions to the back of its road work vehicles in 2016, to work as a buffer between oncoming traffic and workers should anything go wrong.
Despite the extra safety measures, Mr Sewell said there was still a major issue with collisions and near misses by distracted drivers.
Mr Hall’s wife Abbie (pictured together) was hit and killed while collecting a broken down car in Perth
‘Everyday in the morning you turn the key and think ‘OK let’s see if we can make it home tonight’,’ Mr Hall said this week
Sobering footage shows this utility truck swerving dangerously to avoid road workers
‘It’s an extremely dangerous job to do and we’re trying everything we can to minimize the risk,’ he said.
Mr Hall has pushed for legislation forcing cars to ‘slow down and move over’ when driving past road workers.
He wanted government to introduce laws forcing cars to slow down to certain speeds when passing emergency services, RAC patrolmen and tow trucks.
The widower said he was sick of hearing the government talk about safter roads and urged it to ‘pull your finger out and get it done’.
This utility truck was captured on CCTV footage swerving away from road work signage at the last second
Main Roads’ Operations Director Peter Sewell (pictured) said he was surprised no road workers had lost their lives in the three years since