Death of Coburg grandmother Helene Khouzi sparks safety push

THE death of a much-loved grandmother has led to urgent calls for speed limits to be slashed on a busy road in Melbourne’s north.

Helene Khouzi, 58, was hit and killed while crossing Nicholson St in Coburg last month.

URGENT calls have been made for speed limits to be slashed along a busy Coburg road where a grandmother died.

Helene Khouzi, 58, was hit and killed by a car on Nicholson St last month as she tried to cross the road after buying groceries.

The nearest pedestrian crossing along the busy strip of shops, factories, homes and an Islamic centre, was about 100m away.

The fatality was the final straw for Coburg woman Janie Miller, who started a petition to have the speed limit on the “dangerous” road lowered from 60km/h to 40km/h.

She’s also calling for a new pedestrian crossing and warning signs near the crash site.

“There have been so many near misses here,” Ms Miller said.

“If there was a proper crossing closer, or better signage to warn drivers, if the speed limit was lower, who knows how many lives we could save in the future?

Friends and neighbours near the spot where Helene died. Picture: Mark Wilson

“It’s just horrific that someone had to die ... we need to make this place safe for the community.”

Mrs Khouzi’s daughter-in-law Caroline Khouzi said safety improvements were desperately needed.

“We’re devastated,” she said.

“It’s a dangerous road, so why hasn’t anything been done sooner?

“It was such a waste of life for something that was so preventable.

“We’d love for the changes to be made in my mother-in-law’s honour, but there’s nothing that we can do to bring her back.”

A Coburg Islamic Centre committee member said the centre, located close to where Mrs Khouzi died, had already flagged the issue with VicRoads.

“It’s a big problem, we have children crossing there,” he said.

“There’s always near misses ... it’s just another major crash waiting to happen.”

Brunswick state Labor MP Jane Garrett’s spokesman Khaled Chakli said they supported the call for changes and had asked VicRoads for a thorough safety assessment of the area.

Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Fiona Patten urged the State Government to listen to the community and lower the speed limit to 40km/h immediately.

“This section of Nicholson St outside the shopping centre is a really dangerous area for pedestrians,” Ms Patten said in Parliament last week.

She also called for the installation of flashing warning signs to prevent further tragedy.

VicRoads regional director metro north west Vince Punaro said while a recent safety review returned “satisfactory” conditions at the crash site, they would improve lighting and signage in the area.

“We will (also) closely consider whether there is a need for further safety improvements on Nicholson St, including potential changes to speed limits,” Mr Punaro said.

Moreland councillor Sue Bolton said she would advocate for lowered speed limits and additional pedestrian crossing at the next council meeting on November 23.

To sign the petition, click HERE