THE Department of Transport will review road and traffic safety in the Wellington region, including the Airly Rd and Maffra-Stratford Rd intersections with the Princes Highway, following Tuesday’s fatal accident.
The department is working with Victoria Police to investigate the circumstances that led to an elderly woman being killed when her vehicle and a log truck collided at the Airly Rd intersection onTuesday morning.
Gippsland Department of Transport director Sara Rhodes-Ward did not comment on whether roundabouts or stop signs would be considered for any particular roads or intersections, following community calls for upgrades at both intersections.
Tuesday’s fatality took the number of people who have died this year on Victorian roads to 61.
Local police say the accident was a tragic reminder of the road safety message and the need to take care on the roads.
With hundreds of motorists travelling through Gippsland this Easter long weekend, they have advised people to drive safely, plan ahead and take regular breaks.
Wellington Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Adam Leenders said patrols would be out in force targeting speeding, drug and drink driving, fatigue and irresponsible behaviour such as mobile phone use, as part of the five-day Operation Nexus campaign.
Act. Sgt Leenders said patrol members would be supported by local police and specialist forces, including heavy vehicle units, solo-unit motorcycles and the operations response unit.
Booze and drug buses will be deployed across both metropolitan and regional Victoria throughout the Easter long weekend – targeting holiday hot spots, regional highways and popular city roads.
Every year, Victoria Police conducts up to four million alcohol screening tests statewide, with 1.1 million conducted through booze and drug buses.
The TAC road safety campaign ‘the lucky ones get caught’ will also run during the weekend, highlighting the reality of dangerous driving and encouraging people to reflect on their own driving behaviour and consider the impact to themselves and others.
SES volunteers will be on hand at more than 25 Driver Reviver locations around the state offering free tea, coffee and biscuits in addition to TAC Pause Stops in prominent locations across regional Victoria.
SES volunteers in Victoria respond to an average 1300 road crash rescues every year, and the Driver Reviver Program is designed to provide motorists a safe place to stop and refresh.
Key Driver Reviver sites with SES volunteers on hand include the Princes Highway at Traralgon West, Stratford, Bruthen and Newmeralla (near Orbost) and Cann River.
