These three cars went off the road on the same bend in less than 24 hours.
By Casey Neill
A DEADLY Belgrave South bend is continuing to bring drivers unstuck, prompting plans for a public meeting to discuss the ongoing problem.
Three cars careered off Belgrave-Hallam Road within 50 metres of each other in less than 24 hours last week on a notorious stretch between the two Colby Drive intersections.
Another three cars were involved in two accidents over the weekend.
Residents and police said ‘slippery when wet’ signs installed on 18 January were not working and urged VicRoads to address the poor camber on the road before a tragedy unfolded.
Simon Crosbie has seen dozens of accidents during the 11 years he’s lived on the bend – but nothing like this before.
One car went off the road in the evening on Monday 27 February.
Another followed about 7.30am the next day, with a third landing on its side about 10.15am.
“I’ve got to say I’ve never seen anything like this,” Mr Crosbie said.
“Three separate accidents right on top of each other.
“It’s just extraordinary.”
Mr Crosbie said weather conditions like those on the day – rain following hot weather – often lead to an increase in crashes.
“We can predict when the accidents are going to occur,” he said.
“For a major thoroughfare it’s just not acceptable.”
He saw another two-car collision shortly after noon on Saturday 3 March, and a single car spun out and slammed into a pole the following day.
He’s now planning to organise a public meeting on the issue.
Mr Crosbie said ‘slippery when wet’ signs were not helping the situation.
“A lot of the accidents, people are travelling at the right speed,” he said.
“It’s not speed, it’s the actual shape of the road.”
Leading Senior Constable Steve Brown attended the crashes on Tuesday.
“The signs don’t appear to be doing anything,” he said, “because we’re still getting cars coming off there.”
“The road camber is not the greatest.
“But without spending thousands of dollars, I don’t know what they’re doing to do about it.”
Ferny Creek resident Deborah Andrich said in a letter to the Mail that ‘slippery when wet’ signs would not have stopped her from losing control on the bend late last year.
“I know the road. I know to slow down. I had good tyres,” she said.
“However, when I hit a slippery patch after rain earlier in the day I did not have a hope in hell of overcoming the poor design and camber of that notorious stretch of road, and ploughed into oncoming traffic.”
VicRoads acting regional director Graham Clarke said the road authority was investigating potential safety improvements for the stretch, but could not tell the Mail how long this would take or when changes could be expected.
“The road camber is being looked at as part of our investigations and observations of the site have been made in wet weather,” he said. “Input has also been received from Victoria Police and local residents which will be considered as part our investigations.”
Mr Clarke said motorists should note advisory signs, reduce their speed to suit the road conditions, and take particular care when the road is wet.
The Mail first reported Mr Crosbie’s concerns last June but it was local police echoing his fears and calling on VicRoads to act following a collision involving a police car in November that prompted the road authority to mount an investigation.
