Three high-risk intersections at Mount Moriac will become the first area on the Surf Coast to benefit from safer technology aimed at reducing the risk of crashes.
South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said the side road activated speed (SRAS) technology was now operational at the intersections of the Princes Highway and Hendy Main Road, Princes Highway and Cape Otway/Devon Road, and Reservoir Road and Cape Otway Road.
SRAS technology is designed to make it easier for vehicles to enter or cross main roads safely by temporarily lowering the speed limit to oncoming traffic.
When a car on the side road approaches the intersection it triggers electronic speed signs on the main road to reduce the speed by 30km/h.
The reduced speed limit stays activated until there are no more vehicles on the side roads waiting to enter or cross the main road.
The new technology was designed to reduce the risk of high-speed crashes at dangerous intersections.
In the five-year period to January 2021, there were nine crashes across the two intersections on the Princes Highway, with eight resulting in serious injury.
Further safety upgrades to these intersections include tree trimming and line of sight improvements, plus barrier modifications and additional barrier installation.
“Many families will make their way to the beach this summer using roads such as Cape Otway Road, with the school holidays looming, there is no better time to be rolling out this safer technology,” Mr Cheeseman said.
“These intersections have been the site of a number of crashes resulting in serious injury in recent years; SRAS will reduce the risk of crashes and make journeys safer for all road users.”
