Insurer RAA is urging drivers to prioritise their safety, as it calls on this year's parliamentary candidates and political parties to commit to fixing Victor Harbor Road to address increasing traffic volumes and ensure road users' safety.
The message comes as thousands of South Australians are expected to head to Victor Harbor – one of RAA's four priorities in the lead up to the March state elections – for their Australia Day weekend.
“Many people enjoy a trip to Victor Harbor, so we’re encouraging drivers to have fun but play it safe this weekend,” said Penny Gale, RAA general manager engagement and innovation.
Gale said that between 2012 and 2016, there were 87 casualty crashes on the Victor Harbor Road, resulting in five deaths.
“Improving the infrastructure isn’t a silver bullet, but it’s a big part of the solution,” she said. “Over the past five years, on average, there has been a one-third (34%) increase in traffic volumes between Main South Road and Mount Compass, and there’s no sign this growth in the southern suburbs will slow down any time soon. Head-on collisions are one of the most common crash types on this road in recent years, mainly occurring south of Mount Compass, which suggests that motorists are not driving to the conditions of the road and that Victor Harbor Road itself can’t cope with the amount of traffic that travels on it each day.
RAA said there is a need to duplicate Victor Harbor Road from its intersection with Main South Road through to Mt Compass and for road widening and wide centreline treatment between Mount Compass and Victor Harbor.
“Action is needed to boost safety on this popular stretch,” Gale said. “We recognise that a number of improvements have been made to this road in recent years, particularly the McLaren Vale overpass, which was completed in 2013 and the installation of wire rope barriers on Willunga Hill.”
To join the drive for improved roads and public safety, RAA said members and the SA public can visit its
website and become a road champion.
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