Tuesday, 27 February 2018

The safety of six high-risk sections of road across Gippsland will be improved to prevent head-on and run-off-road crashes – and save lives.

The $3 million package of upgrades will include the installation of reflective guide posts, advisory speed signs, curve warning signs, pavement markings, and some sealing of shoulders and safety barriers.

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing said the six Gippsland roads that will benefit from critical safety improvements include Meeniyan-Promontory Road, Moe-Glengarry Road, Fish Creek-Foster Road, Marlo Road, Bloomfield Road and Tyers-Thomson Road.

The works are part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $20 million Mass Action Treatment of Rural Curves program.

Over a five year period from 2012 to 2016, there have been 129 casualty crashes on these roads, resulting in six lives lost, 46 people sustaining serious injuries and a further 135 people with minor injuries.

Road trauma data for 2017 shows that 21 fatal Gippsland crashes were the result of a vehicle veering out of its lane, with 15 lives lost in single-vehicle crashes on the roadside, and six deaths resulting from a head-on collision.

Works will commence over the coming months and all works will be completed by mid-2019.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“We know that by investing in these safety treatments, we can really make a difference to lowering the number of lives lost and serious injuries on Gippsland’s roads.”

“These important upgrades will provide a significant road safety boost, reducing the risk of head-on and run-off-road crashes.”