Main Rd, McLaren Vale intersection to be audited by Onkaparinga Council after fatalities

A stretch of road in the McLaren Vale that claimed the lives of teacher Bernice Sternberg and netballer Ivy-Rose Hughes is one step closer to becoming safer.

A notorious road in the McLaren Vale will be checked after two fatal car accidents this year.

On Tuesday, Onkaparinga Council moved to audit all the intersections of Main Road between McLaren Vale and Willunga including at Malpas and Binney roads as well as McMurtrie and Johnston roads.

The two intersections were the site of fatal crashes in February and March, which claimed the lives of young netballer Ivy-Rose Hughes and local primary school teacher Bernice Sternberg.

Councillor Wayne Olsen – who moved the motion – said the idea had stemmed from the recent fatalities.

Two women who sadly lost their lives along the stretch of road, Bernice Sternberg and Ivy-Rose Hughes.

“We’ve got to move forwards and make sure it’s as safe as we can make it for the remainder of the community,” Mr Olsen said.

“Even for people who live within the area they can be quite dangerous roads in some respects but for those that aren’t familiar with the area it’s probably even more so.

“It’s making sure that those intersections along that Main Road in particular have the most suitable safety devices and pre-warnings that are applicable and to make sure it’s current and meets the standards.”

The intersection of Main and Malpas roads will be audited as part of the council’s decision. Picture: Keryn Stevens

As part of the audit the council will assess the adequacy, quality and location of signage and linemarking and assess potential for the installation of additional warning signage.

It will also determine if the existing intersections meet Australian Standards, Austroads guidelines and Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) requirements.

Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the council had recently held discussion with DIT – who manage Main Rd – regarding potential road safety improvements at four-way road junctions throughout the area.

“Some roads are under the care, control and responsibility of state government, such as Main Rd and Aldinga Rd, and council seeks to work in collaboration with DIT towards the implementation of road safety measures, ensuring the best safety outcomes,” she said.

An ambulance at the intersection of Main and McMurtrie roads, McLaren Vale, for the crash that killed Ms Sternberg. Picture: 7NEWS

“These measures may include short-term works, such as additional advanced warnings at intersections and clearing of sight lines, to more substantial longer-term works at the highest-risk locations, such as offsetting the side-road approaches at existing four-way junctions to remove the risk of motorists inadvertently failing to notice give way and stop signs.

“These efforts won’t just consider intersections on DIT-controlled roads.

“There’s also a need to improve safety at council-controlled intersections along mid-block sections of road away from intersections, where other features may pose a risk to road safety.”

The council’s audit will be completed by July with a final report presented in August.