On Friday night two police officers, who were roadside to perform random breath testing at Leumeah, were seriously injured by an approaching motor vehicle.
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It is now reported that one of those police officers has undergone surgery, during which his lower leg was amputated.
My thoughts go out to those officers, their families and colleagues.
Following 22 years of being a police officer I know all too well the dangers that police and other emergency service personnel face each and every day.
It is imperative that we protect the people of our emergency services.
The government have been made aware of the need to protect emergency service workers on and near roads: On September 12, 2017 I personally wrote about this very concern to the Nationals' Melinda Pavey, NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight.
When I didn't receive a reply from Minister Pavey within a reasonable timeframe I submitted a written question.
On November 21, 2017 I asked the minister if consideration will be given to providing increased safety to our emergency services personnel by implementing a 40km/h speed limit for vicinities of emergency service vehicles and personnel on roadways.
On December 21, 2017 Minister Pavey responded, stating that any proposed changes to the NSW road rules needs to be carefully considered, particularly in terms of safety and equipment.
The minister's response to my question was far from reassuring, so to seek clarification that the speed limitation for safety of our emergency services personnel is actually being considered, I asked Minister Pavey another written question on 7th February 2018. The Minister has not responded to that question.
An enforceable 40 kilometre per hour speed limit surrounding emergency services personnel and their vehicles when performing their duties is essential.
As we all know from having implemented a 40km/h speed limit for school zones, stopped school buses and sites of roadworks, it would increase the time for reaction of either the drivers of vehicles or emergency service workers.
The lower speed would potentially lessen the impact, should a collision occur.
This is a no-brainer; protect the people who are protecting us.
I had only this past week drafted a Notice of Motion concerning this which I planned to deliver to NSW Parliament on the next sitting day.
I don't know why it takes an actual tragedy for this Nationals-Liberal government to react, instead of listening and heeding the warnings of potential dangers which are brought to their attention.
