More crashes at rebuilt road sites

Tim Price.

“Another crash” has prompted a warning about a series of rebuilt intersections on the Princes Highway west of Geelong.
Motorists should “use caution” when approaching the highway from the new wide-median intersections at Cape Otway, Devon and Hendy Main roads, said VicRoads and Victoria Police.
“This follows another crash this week at the intersection with Devon Road,” they said in a joint statement this week.
“The new intersections are designed to give highway drivers the priority so that those approaching the Princes Highway from the side roads need to give way.”
VicRoads’s Tim Price said the new intersections were designed in accordance with “current standards” and had undergone a road-safety audit.
“I’m concerned about the number of crashes that have occurred recently at these intersections and our priority is to understand why these accidents are happening,” Mr Price said.
“We are, however, listening to concerns raised by members of the community and have taken immediate action to try and make these intersections safer.”
Mr Price said the action included “variable message boards” and reduced speed limits on approaches to the intersections.
“These measures are temporary while we investigate a more-permanent treatment in consultation with Victoria Police and an independent road-safety auditor.
“I ask all road users to slow down as they approach the Princes Highway from any intersecting road and make sure they look carefully before entering or crossing the road.
“My team and I will be working closely with Victoria Police and road-safety specialists to determine the best solution.
“We all want people to get home to their families, so we ask everyone to help continue to make our roads safer and reduce road trauma.”
A police officer said earlier this year, following a spate of accidents, that some motorists were treating the intersections as roundabouts.