The real meaning of mysterious green dots found on highways on Australia’s east coast – and why people want them used nationwide
- Road safety advocate groups shared images of posts with reflective green dots
- Dots indicate to drivers there are safe places to pull over within a few metres
- The idea was suggested by truck driver and safety advocate Rod Hannifey
- They are in a few places on highways in Queensland and New South Wales
- Social media users are calling for initiative to be implemented Australia-wide
Green reflective dots on the side of Queensland and New South Wales highways should be rolled out around Australia, road safety advocates say.
Road safety group Truck Friendly shared photos of the green dots on sign posts along the Bernard Highway in Bundaberg, Queensland.
Ken Wilson and his wife, Jenny, revealed the dots are to show caravan drivers how they can share the roads safely with other motorists and large trucks.
Three green dots indicate to caravan drivers and other motorists that there is a safe place to pullover in 500m
The dots were suggested by road safety advocate and truck driver Rod Hannifey
‘Need a place to pull over to let faster traffic pass?’ the post read.
‘These green reflectors will help you find a safe place.
‘These indicate that there is a safe place to pull off the road coming up soon so you can indicate your intentions and be prepared.’
The post explained when you see three green dots then there is a safe place to pull over in 500m, two green dots means the place is within 250m, and one green dot when you have arrived.
Mr Wilson explained road safety advocate and truck driver Rod Hannifey came up with the idea when he was once looking for a safe spot to pull over but had just missed it.
‘He came up with these dots which give you a little bit of a warning that these areas where you can pull over are coming up,’ he told Yahoo News.
He recommends that drivers do not stay overnight but to use it as place to ‘overtake or stretch your legs and check your rig’.
Ken Wilson advised motorists that the areas are not to stay in overnight but rather for to allow someone ‘to overtake, stretch your legs and check your rig’
The Truck Friendly initiative comes with a sticker for drivers to paste on their car or UV after reading the driving guide on their website and install the vehicle with a installing a UHF radio.
This allows other motorists with a sticker and radio to communicate and know what to do when there are larger vehicles involved.
There are now calls to install the green reflective dots around Australia to make it safer for all motorists.
‘Should be in every state of Australia and on every road,’ one person wrote.
‘I tow a van around 90km/h. This is a great idea and would help caravan towers a lot conscious of holding other traffic up,’ another wrote.
‘Great idea just need more pullover areas particularly on mountain roads following a van or truck up is sooo painful!’ someone else wrote.