Renewed call for dangerous Adelaide Hills intersection to be upgraded following the death of baby
The Birdwood CFS has been calling for this Adelaide Hills intersection to be upgraded for years. They have renewed that call following a crash last week that caused the death of a two-month-old baby.
Adelaide Hills
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Birdwood CFS has taken aim at the State Government over its failure to upgrade a busy intersection, where an accident last week caused the death of a two-month-old baby.
At least 10 serious crashes have been recorded at the intersection of Lucky Hit and Warren roads in Forreston since 2014, including the fatal on March 14 this year.
A Melbourne man was charged over the death of a two-month-old baby boy, after failing to give way at the high-speed intersection – which also seriously injured two other passengers.
The accident has sparked outrage from locals, including the local CFS which has lobbied for years for improved safety at the site.
Councillor and CFS volunteer Malcolm Herrmann said the Birdwood CFS “first wrote to the Department of Transport and Infrastructure a couple of years ago requesting a review of the management of the intersection”.
“They replied saying that they had assessed the situation and found that it didn’t meet their criteria for improved safety conditions,” he said.
“The issue was raised again in the Birdwood CFS community in early February this year, after which the Minister was approached to take action to improve safety.
“The reality is that these accidents could always be prevented and we’re just not getting there.”
According to data supplied to the Adelaide Hills Council by the state government crash database, five injury crashes occurred at the intersection between 2014 and 2018.
An additional four right angle crashes were recorded for 2019, as per preliminary information obtained from the Department for Planning Transport and Infrastructure Road Crash Unit.
The March fatal marked the only serious accident for 2020 thus far, however, Cr Herrmann said it was unlikely the last.
“There is a level of frustration by the community over the inaction by the government and especially the department responsible for this,” he said.
“There are frustrated that nothing has happened and no action has been taken to improve the safety of motorists.”
Director for infrastructure and operations Peter Bice said council was supported Cr Herrmann’s push for improved road safety.
He said the council had already done its part in reducing speed from 100km/h to 80km/h along Lucky Hit and Martin Hills Rd, both of which are council owned.
However, Warren Rd, which is managed by DPTI, still retains its 100km/h speed limit.
“Council staff support the motion by Cr Herrmann and indeed any collaborative effort that supports a positive outcome for the community,” Mr Bice said.
“There have been a number of recent speed reductions as we’re trying to ensure that we’re doing what we can to provide safety to all and hope to build on that.”
The DPTI has been contacted for comment by the The Adelaide Hills News.