Residents in Batters Lane at Kyneton have questioned the efficacy of intersection safety improvements on their road after a two-car collision sent four people to hospital last Tuesday morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene at the intersection of Batters Lane and Pipers Creek Road about 9.20am.
Police allege a 77-year-old man from Hoppers Crossing was driving a BMW north on Batters Lane when he failed to give way and crashed into a Ford utility travelling east on Pipers Creek Road.
The utility hit the culvert and rolled twice. The driver of the ute, a 22-year-old man from Pipers Creek, and two passengers, a 26-year-old man and a 27-year-old female also from the local area, suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken by ambulance to hospital.
The offending driver also suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to hospital. He is expected to be charged with failing to give way.
Both vehicles were extensively damaged and were towed from the scene.
It is believed new warning lights on Batters Lane that are triggered as a car approaches the intersection were operating at the time of the collision.
Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact Sergeant Dave Arnold at Woodend Police Station on 5427 2610.
CALL FOR SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION
The speed limit on Batters Lane is 100 km/h and residents have long argued it should be reduced. The roadway’s long straight vista and speed limit causes a ‘see-through’ effect whereby some drivers fail to stop at the intersection. Residents also argue the ‘give way’ sign at the intersection should also be replaced with a ‘stop’ sign.
The flashing warning lights were installed by Macedon Ranges Shire Council with federal government Black Spot funding.
Council’s director of assets and operations, Dom Testoni, said council was aware of the accident.
“Council cannot comment on the specific details of the incident or what other factors may have contributed, but we will review any information that is made available by the relevant authorities,” he said.
“Council takes road safety seriously and has recently undertaken intersection safety improvements at the Batters Lane and Pipers Creek Road intersection with the help of federal Black Spot funding. These newly completed works include a flashing warning give-way ahead sign, line marking, a median island and pavement improvements.
“In relation to community requests for a speed limit reduction, council previously undertook a traffic survey on Batters Lane to assess vehicle volumes, types and speeds.
“The results of the survey determined that the current default speed limit of 100 km/h is appropriate for this road in accordance with the Victorian Speed Zoning Policy and Guidelines, consistent with other rural roads in the municipality.
“The traffic data gathered indicated that most drivers are already travelling based on road condition and significantly lower than default speed.”
Mr Testoni said council would not be further investigating a speed limit reduction at this time.