By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT’S been three weeks since the deadly Robinsons Road and Westernport Highway intersection was made temporarily safe – but law breakers have left some locals feeling disappointed.
After community consultations with VicRoads, turning right and driving straight from Robinsons Road where it crosses the Westernport Highway has been banned.
Pearcedale resident Bec Farmer lives near the notorious intersection that took the life of 19-year-old Olivia Steadman-Meconi in June this year.
Ms Farmer believes the changes will at least protect drivers who are unfamiliar with the intersection.
“Motorists can’t accidentally drive through or turn right with all the big bright signage, I believe what’s been done will diminish the chances of an accident up to a point.
“But it won’t stop the law breakers who are mostly locals who have been driving across it for 30 years,” Ms Farmer explained.
With a roundabout two years away, Ms Farmer said VicRoads had done an “outstanding” job so far.
“VicRoads has done everything right in my opinion.
“There were more VicRoads members at the consultation meeting than locals, which was very disappointing, and now some residents don’t like what’s been done,” she said.
After noticing Highway Patrol cars policing the intersection three times since the upgrade, Ms Farmer said she had witnessed drivers blatantly disobey the road rules countless times.
“I toot my horn at them – maybe putting a camera at the intersection might help, but again it’s more money in the interim,” she said.
The mother of three said she doesn’t want to see any more preventable accidents and believes the temporary measures will stop crashes similar to Olivia’s.
“The way the kerbing is now, stops a driver going straight through the intersection because they would hit the kerb, however it doesn’t wind around far enough to stop drivers who deliberately want to break the new road rules,” she explained.
Concerned about the bus route even prior to the June crash, Ms Farmer said she now felt more confident about allowing her children on the school bus.
“The buses are turning left and heading down to the Baxter-Tooradin Road roundabout before getting back onto the highway which is really good, adding on about two minutes to their trip,” she said.
Warning signs are also set to be installed at the nearby Victoria Road intersection on Westernport Highway to prohibit motorists driving straight through or turning right.
Road rule breakers can expect a minimum fine of $190 if caught.
