By ANEEKA SIMONIS
SAFETY changes to a notoriously dangerous intersection are “not substantial enough,” according to members of Cardinia Highway Patrol, who are appealing for council to do more to improve the perilous site.
The Dalmore and Manks roads intersection, currently being examined under a road safety audit, has long been a dangerous site for motorists.
According to Sergeant Rob Atkinson from Cardinia Highway Patrol, four “serious” road crashes have been reported to police in the past two months.
Each of the cars involved had someone sitting in the front passenger seat – a non-coincidental trend that is impacting motorists’ safety.
“All collisions involved had a passenger sitting in the front seat and their heads are in the driver’s line of view,” Sgt Atkinsonm said.
Cardinia Shire Council applied for Black Spot funding in August last year to realign the notorious intersection to create two T-type intersections.
Council’s senior traffic engineer Nicholas Charrett said they were awaiting the outcome.
On Monday 18 May, Cardinia Highway Patrol put a submission into council to install traffic safety enforcements in the meantime.
Police are asking for the speed nearing the intersection to be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h and the current Give Way sign on Manks Road be replaced with a Stop sign.
Mr Charrett said the proposed changes would be considered subject to the outcome of a road safety audit currently underway and discussion between council, police and VicRoads.
He said minor improvements were currently being finished by council to improve the safety of the intersection including additional rumble bars, new line marking, signage and improved sight lines.
“These additions exceed all normal requirements for an intersection of this type and have been designed to reduce or eliminate the crash trend,” he said.
Two elderly occupants were hospitalised after a serious crash which left them trapped inside their car last month.
The Pakenham Road Rescue Crew (PRRC) had to remove the driver and passenger door of a car which veered into an open drain on the side of the road.
Since the spike in serious crashes, police have been increasing patrols around the area and issuing fines to motorists who fail to give way.
The realignment project is estimated to cost $343,000.
According to council’s team leader for engineer Andrew Barr, black spot funding is allocated based on the benefit-cost ratio of each project rather than council’s preference.
Council is expected to know the outcome of the Black Spot funding application at the start of the financial year.
