By Jessica Anstice
With traffic levels gradually increasing since coronavirus lockdown, motorists in Cardinia Shire and Casey are starting to experience the return of road rage.
As travel restrictions ease and hundreds of people return to work, the roads have been undoubtedly busier now compared to the last few months.
After personally experiencing a number of road rage incidents, Clyde North Resident John Ramsey has noticed that Covid frustrations are sending motorists over the edge.
“One time that comes to mind is when I was behind a car in the centre lane on the Monash Freeway, just sitting on the limit, and a young buck went flying past me on the right, then hit the brakes hard,” he recalled.
“I caught up with him, then he rolled down his window and started to abuse me. I just kept going along until I exited the freeway but he pulled up behind me and got out.
“I got out and asked what his problem was. He was shouting out that I got in his way and now he’s going to be late. I think he backed off because I was a bit bigger than him and didn’t return his agro.”
Mr Ramsey said roadworks, driver’s travelling under the speed limit in the righthand lane and those who merge incorrectly could play a major factor in the cause of anger among motorists.
On top of that, with students back at school there is a natural increase of cars and buses on the roads, as well as trucks and trailers with more workers back in action.
“An example is Clyde Road where the bus takes up one lane to pick up and drop off passengers,” he added.
“Then it cuts across all lanes of traffic trying to turn left onto the freeway. I’ve also seen the younger ones driving like, ‘It won’t happen to me’, and duck and weave in traffic.
“This has resulted in one driver getting out and confronting the younger driver who then sped off through the red light.”
Mr Ramsey also has concerns about parents’ means of transport when it comes to dropping off and picking up their children from school.
He said some parents are “lazy” and drive their children to school when they live in close proximity.
“My neighbour is a good example – the school is approximately 500 to 600 metres from their house,” he said.
“A lady who used to live on the corner directly opposite the school would back out, drive across the road, drop the kids off and put the car back into the garage.
“This not only puts unnecessary cars on the roads adding to the congestion but adds to the frustration.”
Pakenham resident David O’Connor shared Mr Ramsey’s frustrations when it comes to busy roads, particularly around Pakenham.
The truck driver said he has “definitely” noticed a “massive” increase in traffic volume over the past couple of weeks.
“Interestingly enough, there seems to be an unwritten acceptance of drivers speeding,” he said.
“I say that because 100kn/h on the Princes Freeway from Nar Nar Goon to Berwick seems to be 110km/h to 120 most days. 60km/h zones are now generally 70km/h and so on.
“Then there is that small percentage doing more than 20km/h over the limit on the freeway. I saw one yesterday weaving in and out of cars inbound on the Monash.”
Mr O’Connor put it down to a lack of highway patrols in recent weeks due to the police ‘ring of steel’ in Lang Lang and Nar Nar Goon.
He acknowledged that policing is a “tough gig” but claimed to rarely spot highway patrols or proactive policing on Princes Highway.
“Where is the highway patrol who are supposed to be tasked with traffic duties?,” he asked.
“Their cars are even liveried as Highway Patrol but in Victoria you hardly see them.
New South Wales has dedicated cars that are always on their freeways.”
Cardinia Highway Patrol has been contact for comment.
