Crash through; Betty Tolhurst with the notorious South Geelong give-way sign in the background.
ERIN PEARSON
A GIVE-WAY sign in the middle of a roadway at a South Geelong intersection is causing traffic mayhem, according to an elderly neighbour.
Betty Tolhurst said cars were crashing into the sign so often she was struggling to cope with the stress.
The sign, at the intersection of Hopkins and Fyans streets, had caused untold “thousands” of dollars in damage, she said.
The 86-year-old called on council and VicRoads to relocate the sign.
She and her family had witnessed “dozens” of crashes in the past decade.
“I’ve lost count of the number of times people have hit the pole. It happens too often,” Ms Tolhurst said.
“Recently a good friend was coming to the house and did thousands of dollars worth of damage to his car.
“I’ve seen the shock on peoples faces and it’s upsetting. The bumps and bangs frighten me.”
Mrs Tolhurst’s son, Ken, said he recently helped three drivers drag bumper bars off the road after tangling with the sign.
“Once a year would be sad but it’s happened three times just in the past month yet council just keeps re-erecting the pole.
“I’ve seen bumper bars wiped right off and just recently helped an older man put his in the boot of his car. He was very upset.”
Mr Tolhurst said the sign was clearly in the wrong place.
“When the sun’s in a certain spot it’s impossible to see the sign.”
Mr Tolhurst was concerned about the impact on his mother from the constant crashes.
VicRoads is responsible for Fyans Street, while City of Greater Geelong manages Hopkins Street.
VicRoads regional director Robin Miles said the organisation would investigate “alternative measures” to increase the sign’s visibility.
“VicRoads reminds motorists to slow down when approaching intersections for the safety of all road users.”
