By BRIDGET COOK
THE community is calling for the urgent installation of speed humps along a road which is notorious for speeding drivers after a car smashed into a house last year.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan met with residents living along Hinrichsen Drive, Hallam, this week to discuss the issue of speeding drivers putting lives and property at danger.
They have now launched a petition calling for traffic calming measures to be urgently installed along the residential road.
Hinrichsen Drive is popular with drivers trying to take a short cut from Princes Highway through to Hallam Road, Hallam.
In the past six months, there have been a number of near-misses and accidents including an incident in which a car smashed into a house and another car crashed into trees and shrubs.
Mr Byrne urged people to sign the petition which will be sent to City of Casey.
“It is vital that residents feel safe in their local community and if residents feel unsafe due to speeding drivers then action needs to be taken to improve road safety in the local community,” he said.
Mr Donnellan said the situation was putting local residents – especially seniors and children – at risk.
“We believe local residents deserve peace of mind on their own local roads and shouldn’t have to contend with motorists breaking the law, speeding and endangering lives,” he said.
Resident Arizo Nawabi said he and his family still live in fear after a car smashed into their front room about five months ago.
“It’s left us really shaken, even my kids,” she said.
“Every time we see or hear a car passing by we fear that it will end up in our house again.
“Given the house hasn’t been repaired and there’s no front wall, we are fearful that if it were to happen again it would be even worse.
“I’m glad some action is being taken, I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.”
City of Casey manager transport Paul Hamilton said that the council has a local traffic management (LTM) program that provides annual funding for the installation of traffic calming devices in roads throughout the municipality.
While Hinrichsen Drive is included as one of the streets which would warrant consideration in the program, there are a number of other locations that are considered to be a higher priority for investigation and preparation.
“Notwithstanding this, council has identified one section of Hinrichsen Drive where there is an emerging loss of control trend resulting in property damage,” Mr Hamilton said.
“Council is investigating a treatment in this location and has already commenced community consultation and design work.
“The investigations are considering a proposal to install a speed hump treatment on the northern approach to the intersection of Hinrichsen Drive and Keppel Drive.”
To sign the petition call Mr Donnellan’s office on 9706 0566 or Mr Byrne’s on 9796 7533.
