Still no safety upgrades at deadly Springvale Junction
Three years after a pregnant woman’s unborn baby was killed following a horror smash at a Springvale intersection, questions are being raised as to why safety upgrades remain at a standstill.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Melbourne intersection where a pregnant woman lost her unborn baby following a horror smash was pencilled in for safety upgrades less than three months prior — and a County Court judge has questioned why nothing has been done more than three years on.
Ngoc Thi Thanh Pham was 19 weeks pregnant when she drove through the notorious Springvale Junction on April 23, 2016.
There were 70 casualty crashes reported at the intersection — 34 per cent of which resulted in serious injury — between July, 2012 and December, 2017.
Despite this, and the tragedy involving Ms Pham, no major safety upgrades have been implemented at the intersection.
The expectant mother had obeyed road laws when her car was smashed into by Hameedullah Rezaei about 4pm.
Rezaei was not speeding, drunk or on drugs, but failed to give way when he drove through the intersection towards Dandenong.
He told police he believed he had a green arrow as he turned right into the intersection from Centre Rd.
Rezaei, 36, was sentenced in the County Court on June 7 to an 18-month community correction order after pleading guilty to one charge of dangerous driving causing serious injury.
His licence was disqualified for 18 months and he was ordered to perform 60 hours of community service.
Ms Pham suffered bruising to her waist, shoulders and hips, her placenta was broken and she suffered bleeding.
She spent several days in hospital until the decision was made to induce birth on May 1.
Ms Pham gave birth to a baby girl who died minutes later.
Judge Trevor Wraight said the incident was undoubtedly a “traumatic event” for Ms Pham.
“(She has) suffered psychologically,” he said.
“(She) has trouble sleeping and is unable to explain the event with friends.”
Judge Wraight said Rezaei had expressed remorse but didn’t “feel entirely at fault”.
“The incident was more than just a simple mistake,” he said.
“It is clear that the consequences of failing to remain alert at a major intersection can have devastating consequences when collisions occur.
“The community needs to be sent a message that on busy city roads drivers must remain alert and compliant with road rules.”
However, Judge Wraight brought Springvale Junction under the spotlight.
He noted a VicRoads witness said the intersection had the “highest number of accident casualties in the state”.
“The intersection is known to be dangerous and problematic,” Judge Wraight said.
“Also the right hand turn lane (where Rezaei was turning into the intersection) is responsible for a number of accidents.
“VicRoads has vowed to get rid of the turn after the accident but has yet to do so.”
MORE: DIPLOMAT, CEO PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD SEX GROOMING
DEVELOPERS STELLER ABANDON MOORABBIN WAREHOUSE
CRAFT BEER’S HIGH ALCOHOL CONTENT
The intersection — rated by VicRoads as the worst black spot in the state — is so notorious it has its own Wikipedia page.
The “complex” intersection known by locals as the “Spaghetti Junction” incorporates Princes Highway and Springvale, Centre and Police roads.
According to the VicRoads website the last community consultation was held in January, 2016 but apart from some minor work the project had not progressed since.
VicRoads Acting Metro Projects Director Sharon Patterson would not say why the project had stalled or when work would begin.
“VicRoads is currently developing interim measures to improve safety and traffic flow particularly for traffic turning right from Centre Rd into the Princes Highway,” she said.