Thomastown and Epping’s raised speed bumps slammed by commuters

Speed bumps installed at busy Thomastown and Epping intersections in a VicRoads bid to slash the state’s road toll have been slammed by hundreds of drivers as “dangerous”, poorly signed — and likely to cause accidents. Now, the RACV has weighed in.

A section of the raised speed bumps in Thomastown.

The installation of speed bumps at busy Thomastown and Epping intersections as part of a campaign to slash the state’s road toll has been slammed by hundreds of drivers as “dangerous”.

Seven intersections labelled “high-risk” by VicRoads have had the speed bumps installed this year.

The intersections are: High and Cooper streets; Dalton Rd and The Blvd; Dalton Rd and Alexander Avenue; High and Spring streets; High and Station streets; High and Main streets; and Spencer St and Dalton Rd.

Information on the VicRoads website published late last year said high-risk intersections “across Melbourne” would be raised.

A screenshot from the VicRoads website explaining the project.

However, last week VicRoads said the information was incorrect and there were no plans for further raised intersections.

More than 200 commuters who responded to a social media question fromthe Leader onthe speed bumps said they feared the initiative would only add to the road toll.

Loz Peta said she saw a ute towing a boat have an accident while driving over the speed bumps.

“As soon as they hit the bump (not speeding) the trailer came off the hitch, then it went through the back of his ute as he tried to stop while hitting the bump on the other side,” she said.

Others said the speed bumps were not clearly marked.

“No signage, and hitting them at 60km/h unexpectedly because you’re actually looking at the surrounding traffic where you should be looking is a enough of a shock to CAUSE an accident,” Hugh Oglivy said.

Vehicles travel over a section of the new speed bumps in Thomastown.

Mr Oglivy said he had written to VicRoads “pointing out the danger”.

Many commenters raised concerns about the impact having to reduce speed would have on emergency service vehicles.

Tyrell Moore said he saw a police car almost crash when travelling over one of the intersections.

“I have seen a police van fly over one with lights and sirens activated almost lost it,” he said.

“I’m worried about ambulances with patients heading to Epping Hospital.”

People were also puzzled as to why traffic was being slowed right before traffic lights.

“Not necessary,” Kathy Aleksovski said.

“It’s simple, the traffic lights are there to slow the traffic!”

“If it’s red you stop, if it’s green you go …”

“Now if it’s green you need to slow down from 60km/h on a straight or you’re airborne,” she said.

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RACV senior manager of transport, planning and infrastructure Peter Kartsidimas said the organisation supported any measure to improve road safety, including raised intersections.

“However, a raised intersection on its own is not enough, they should be installed along with other measures to address all safety issues at a given location,” he said.

“Raised intersections also need to be highly visible to be an effective safety device.”

VicRoads road infrastructure program director Scott Lawrence said the intersections would reduce the risk of serious and fatal crashes “by up to 40 per cent”.

The intersections were designed to encourage drivers to slow down as they crossed them, Mr Lawrence said.

“We know that a small reduction in speed can significantly reduce people’s risk of being seriously injured or killed in a crash and these raised intersections will encourage drivers to slow down.”