Thousands of Victorians voice road safety worries in Melbourne
The RACV's My Melbourne Road survey has revealed the most pressing safety issues on Melbourne's transport network, with input from a substantial 5,000 participants. The findings highlight areas of greatest concern and potential solutions to enhance road safety in the city.
Overly Complex Intersections and Unsafe Driving Top the List
The survey found that overly complex intersections were the top safety concern identified, followed by unsafe driving practices of others, such as speeding and erratic driving. Unsafe driving is exacerbated in congested traffic, according to the survey results.
Popular Roads and Intersections with Safety Concerns
Some of the busiest roads and intersections in Melbourne, including Dandenong Road, Princes Freeway, St Kilda Road, and Sydney Road, received the highest number of responses for safety concerns. Three of these roads, which are part of Strategic Cycling Corridors, indicate they are not safe enough for cyclists.
One standout area, Moonee Valley's Mount Alexander Road - where it meets with Keilor Road - received the most responses for safety concerns in both the road and intersection categories.
Solutions for Enhancing Road Safety
Many solutions identified by respondents are low-cost and easy to implement, such as zebra crossings and better-positioned traffic lights. Other solutions include resurfacing potholes, improving intersection design, enhancing lighting, and ensuring speed limits are fit for purpose.
Cyclists and pedestrians identified pedestrian traffic lights where they are most needed, traffic calming infrastructure, and protected cycling lanes as potential solutions.
Advocating for Change
RACV will share the My Melbourne Road survey results with governments and advocate for improvements to the roads and intersections identified by participants. The results have also been provided to the Victorian Department of Transport to aid in improving road safety in Melbourne.
Driver behavior, such as adhering to safe speeds, maintaining a safe distance, and not using portable devices while driving, was emphasized as crucial for road safety. One-third of respondents called for lower speed zones on roads they use often, and one-third of participants also identified that a lower speed limit on their nominated road would enhance safety.
Representation from Cyclists and Pedestrians
Cyclists and pedestrians were the most highly-represented in the feedback, with four of the roads and intersections with the most number of responses identified by participants having pedestrian or cyclist-related safety issues as a primary concern.
Top 10 Roads and Intersections with Safety Concerns
- Sydney Road (Brunswick, Coburg)
- Dandenong Road (Windsor, Prahran, Caulfield)
- Princes Freeway / Geelong Road Exit (Werribee)
- Point Cook Road (Point Cook, Seabrook)
- Mount Alexander Road / Keilor Road (Essendon)
- Bay Street / Liardet Road (Port Melbourne)
- Barkly Street / Hopkins Street (Footscray)
- Racecourse Road / Flemington Road (North Melbourne)
- Williamstown Road / Beacon Road (Port Melbourne)
- Lorimer Street / Wurundjeri Way (Docklands)
Top 10 Roads with Safety Concerns
- Dandenong Road (Windsor, Prahran, Caulfield)
- Sydney Road (Brunswick, Coburg)
- Mount Alexander Road (Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale)
- Princes Freeway
- Point Cook Road (Point Cook, Seabrook)
- St Kilda Road (Melbourne)
- North Road (McKinnon, Oakleigh, Clayton)
- Calder Freeway (Keilor Park, Keilor, Taylors Lakes)
- Western Freeway (Melton, Rockbank)
- Clyde Road / Berwick-Cranbourne Road (Berwick, Clyde)
The RACV encourages all road users to take the survey findings seriously and collaborate to create a safer transportation network in Melbourne.
