Thursday, Sep 05, 2013 at 11:16
Andrew & Jen - The crash occurred at the Salt Creek
bridge, on the sealed portion of the Roper Hwy.
1. The Eastern approach is straight, but the Western approach has a slight curve in it, which COULD possibly lead to a misjudgement of approaching vehicle speeds and position, in relation to the
bridge.
The sight distance on both sides, is more than adequate, in my estimation.
2. Just a WAG judging by the satellite
pic, I'd say the
bridge is around 80-100M long.
3. I do not have information regarding this particular bridges approach signage - but I have never encountered a single lane
bridge on a sealed highway that doesn't have a "give way" sign on the approaches.
4. & 5. I don't ever recall seeing signage to any one-lane
bridge that says you should use a CB to facilitate crossing. Only a small percentage of small vehicles are fitted with CB, even though most trucks are.
This incident is almost certainly purely speed and impatience related, with a dose of poor judgement added - and possibly a degree of carelessness as
well.
All it takes is an approach at high speed, and to be distracted by looking at the countryside or the river - instead of watching for oncoming traffic - and bang, you're in big trouble.
I'd place 90% of the blame for the crash on the Prado driver. You can't stop a road train in 100M from 90kmh. The stopping distance of a road train from 90kmh is 170M.
FollowupID:
797388