Review could lead to changes of deadly Hornsby intersection
The Hornsby Advocate recently spent a morning at the intersection of Peats Ferry and Bridge roads investigating whether any obvious improvements could be made.
Hornsby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hornsby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AN INTERSECTION where two pedestrians have been killed in the past six months could be upgraded once a safety review is completed by Roads and Maritime Services in July.
The two fatal crashes at the intersection of Peats Ferry and Bridge roads in Hornsby saw an 81-year-old man killed last month and a 16-year-old boy killed in December.
The Hornsby Advocate recently spent a morning at the intersection investigating whether any obvious improvements could be made. The investigation found that some changes would reduce confusion and improve safety for pedestrians.
Meanwhile, RMS is reviewing the intersection in conjunction with NSW Police.
That review is due to be completed next month, at which stage potential improvements may be approved, a RMS spokesman said.
A safety concern the Advocate found involved drivers heading north along Peats Ferry Rd and turning right into Bridge Rd.
There is no green arrow for drivers wanting to make a right turn — meaning they often have to wait for a break in the oncoming traffic before turning.
Safety becomes an issue when pedestrians are crossing Bridge Rd.
The pedestrians only have five seconds to cross the road before the lights change and drivers can turn across their path. That is only enough time to walk halfway across Bridge Rd.
Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman Harold Scruby said when there was confusion or conflicting instructions at an intersection there was danger.
“In road safety where there is confusion there is potential for harm,” he said.
“In other words, if two separate road users are being given separate instructions — and a traffic light is an instruction — and those instructions are confusing or in conflict then someone will get hurt and usually that’s the pedestrian.”
Three potential changes that could improve safety include installing a green arrow light for those wanting to turn right from Peats Ferry Rd onto Bridge Rd (taking away the distraction of oncoming traffic), installing a ‘no right turn’ sign for northbound traffic on Peats Ferry Rd, or giving pedestrians more time to cross Bridge Rd before other traffic get a green.