SAFETY WARNING SYSTEMS

Learn about the newest road safety system to come out of the USA.This system is being submitted by ADRA to WA & NZ authorities for testing and evaluation. Read about the Safety Warning System and how it can save your life and make driving safer.

• Safety Warning Systems (SWS) WA Locations

SWS transmitter locations as of 1st June 2010:  170

Warning: Emergency Vehicle in Transit/Stationary Emergency Vehicle ahead    122
St John Emergency Ambulance                   
Advance Life Ambulance                            
WA Fire Service
Tow Trucks                                           

Warning: Highway Work Crews Ahead   37
WA road Projects/Leighton Contracts       
Carringtons Traffic Services                         
ATM Bellevue                                               

WA Blackspots                                          14
Warning: Speed Limit Enforced /Rest Stop Ahead
Mount Lawley, Intersection Walcott Street & Beaufort Street,
Mirrabooka, Intersection Reid Highway & Alexander Drive,
Victoria Park,  intersection Canning Highway & Berwick Street,
Bayswater, Intersection of Tonkin Highway & Collier Road,
Bunbury North on Mandurah Rd
Williams (Albany Hwy)
Byford,South West Hwy & Thomas Rd
Pinjarra, Cnr South West Hwy & Morrell Rd
Perth to Bunbury Hwy North entrance x 2
Perth to Bunbury Hwy Settlers Rest Roadhouse x 2

• Safety Warning System

A Safety Warning System (SWS) is a radar emitting device that takes about an hour to install.  It begins operating immediately and works by emitting a signal that is received by in-car driver warning systems up to 1km away.

The SWS provides warning to drivers with existing systems installed in their cars of potential hazards, such as approaching emergency vehicles, road works, road accidents and school zones. John Deere tractors utilize a radar speed warning device which acts like SWS providing drivers with a 1km warning that they are approaching a tractor on the road ahead. There are thousands of John Deere tractors in WA.

In Western Australia, SWS has been in use since 2002. There are currently over 130 SWS devices installed in St John’s Emergency Ambulance Vehicles, Ambulance Australia, FESA Vehicles, Highway Work Crews, Tow trucks and Accident blackspots to provide advanced warnings to drivers of their approach or presence. SWS use the existing 60,000 receivers already in use by WA drivers.

SWS has been in use in the USA since 1996 and is recommended by DOT in some states as “Best Practice” for Road Construction Crews.

The Australian Drivers Association (ADRA) is a non-profit organisation that funds the installation of SWS to help make roads safer. This road safety program is now being implemented in Western Australia where it will have an instant impact with the estimated 60,000 receivers already in use.

The following “high risk” areas in WA have been earmarked for implementation of the SWS:- St Johns Ambulance; Fire and Emergency Service Vehicles; Highway Work Crews; School Zones; School Buses.

An independent study in the USA has found that use of SWS at road hazards has slowed the mean speed of traffic by 5 to 7 km per hour.

SWS is one of the only Intelligent Transport System devices that can instantly warn drivers of emergency vehicles and accidents ahead. It very effectively protects the lives of ambulance and emergency personnel as well a police and others at attendance of accidents or on route to an emergency.

RDS or Radio Distress System is in use in Europe and UK. This system was not approved for use in WA or Australia as it was found to interfere with commercial broadcasting.

There has not been any reported accident or fatality at Road Construction sites in Western Australia where SWS has been in operation. 

This is a major privately funded Road Safety Project..

SWS SAVES LIVES