By Rowan Forster
Ballarto Road’s inconsistent speed limit has been described as a “recipe for disaster” by a Labertouche couple whose beloved horses were killed by an alleged drink driver.
Lis Winkel and Leigh Bedson have spoken out about the thoroughfare, which they say should be kept to a maximum of 80km/h.
Along the road, speed limits cycle between 40km/h, 60km/h, 80km/h and 100km/h, reportedly confusing motorists.
It comes after yet another horrific crash on Ballarto Road late on Friday 25 May, which saw a motorcyclist airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in a serious condition.
According to police, a car collided with the motorbike, sending the rider airborne.
Ms Winkel believes the strip needs to be examined by VicRoads.
“The speed limit on Ballarto – it’s just way too varied,” she said.
“It changes so much that I think a lot of drivers just guess what speed to go.
We won’t be taking Ballarto Road to pass through Cranbourne anymore.”
Ms Winkel and Mr Bedson were towing a horse float along the road on 9 May, when they were sideswiped by an alleged drink driver – causing them to crash.
The impact from the collision was so powerful that it caused the horse float to detach from the car and veer off the road.
Their cherished horses, BJ and Annie, both died as a result of their injuries.
Teresa Alexandrou – who occasionally transports horses on Ballarto Road – said that while a speed limit reduction could be beneficial, the real problem is impatient drivers.
“I don’t go over 70km/h along the whole road and I constantly have cars tailgating me and blasting their horns,” she said.
“It is pressure like that which causes people to make mistakes, causes accidents.”
