Mitcham: calls for change at a dangerous Whitehorse Rd intersection

A Mitcham intersection where two pedestrians have been hit by cars in the last month desperately needs a safety upgrade, worried drivers say.

Niall Baird has been hit by a car at the Mitcham and Whitehorse roads. Picture: Andrew Tauber

A Mitcham intersection where two pedestrians have been hit by cars in the last month desperately needs a safety upgrade, worried neighbours say.

Former police officer Niall Baird was almost across the Whitehorse and Mitcham road pedestrian crossing when the signal changed from green to flashing red and he was struck from behind by a 4WD turning right about 1pm on January 4.

He was thrown from the crossing into a lane on Whitehorse Rd.

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The driver stopped and an ambulance and the police were called.

“My head was pounding, I couldn’t keep it straight — my neck was sore,” he said.

He wasn’t seriously injured and declined to go to hospital after being treated by paramedics. Mr Baird said he was left sore and with a lot of bruising.

But the collision affected him psychologically.

The intersection is a major thoroughfare for traffic, particularly commuters. Image: Google Maps.

“PTSD kicked in big time,” he said.

“I’m not at all proud of the way I was screaming at the (driver).”

Mr Baird said he had since avoided using the crossing, even though he lived less than 500m from it.

Katie Breaden witnessed another car hit a pedestrian as it turned right at the same intersection about 7.30pm on February 1.

Ms Breaden said the victim managed to stay upright and was “shook but not overly injured”. But the incident left the Nunawading mother fearing for others.

Niall Baird is one of several pedestrians who have been hit at the intersection of Mitcham and Whitehorse roads. Picture: Andrew Tauber

“All of our kids go through that intersection,” she said.

“It could be one of our kids next time.”

Several people have shared similar concerns about the intersection on Facebook, while others said they had seen many “near-misses”.

Mr Baird believes a red arrow needs to be added to the traffic lights for when the crossing is available.

The lights allow drivers to turn right on a green light at their discretion.

Ms Breaden said the problem wasn’t the intersection — but drivers themselves.

“You should know not to run into people,” she said.

“The onus is on the driver to give way to pedestrians.”

Nunawading highway patrol Sergeant Simon Webb said more dangerous intersections in Whitehorse were being investigated.

“There’s been nothing recently to indicate [Whitehorse and Mitcham] is worse than any other intersection we’ve got.”

He said at busy intersections like Whitehorse and Springvale pedestrians could get lost in drivers’ sight among all the distractions.

VicRoads south east movement and safety metro manager Sasha Yarwood said the authority was constantly working to improve road safety, especially for pedestrians who were among the most vulnerable road users.

“We welcome any feedback from the local community on issues affecting their roads and will look closely at this intersection to determine whether there’s a need for improvements to make it safer,” Mr Yarwood said.

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