Torquay residents want more road signage for international drivers to maintain safety

Disturbing footage of a driver on the wrong side of the road at Torquay Esplanade has sparked a push for tourist targeted road signs and education.

DISTURBING footage of a driver on the wrong side of the road at Torquay’s Esplanade has sparked a renewed push for greater tourist targeted road signs and education.

Surf Coast residents have pleaded for authorities to install more signage along the Great Ocean Road after dashcam footage showing a driver on the wrong side of The Esplanade heading directed into oncoming traffic circulated on social media.

Torquay motorcyclist Jeremy Ham says targeted multilingual electronic signs need to be installed during peak tourism times such as last weekend’s Chinese New Year Period, and has also called for a greater police presence.

Mr Ham was one of many frustrated residents who contacted the Geelong Advertiser after witnessing erratic and dangerous driving along the Great Ocean Road on the weekend.

Torquay father Shanan Greenhough recorded dashcam footage of a silver 4WD on the wrong side of the road coming directly toward him at Torquay Esplanade.

“I got the shock of my life ... I had my daughter in the car and I feared for our safety,” he said.

Luckily, the car was only travelling 50km/h and avoided oncoming traffic without incident.

Mr Greenhough reported the incident to police who told him the vehicle was registered to a Tullamarine hire car company.

Another resident, who declined to be named, said many drivers simply did not know the road rules or speed limits and were unable to read signs.

L-R Theresa Rose-Ham, Helen Black, Jeremy Ham, Red Whyte and Dan Botterill are concerned about driver safety around Bells Beach. Picture: Pat Scala.

Beth Colliss reported witnessing a driver stop stopping at each exit of a Torquay roundabout on Monday.

Another driver recently saw a car drive across an intersection without looking or giving way.

Great Ocean Road regional tourism limited chief Liz Price acknowledged events including Chinese New Year had led to influx of local and international tourists travelling along the Great Ocean Road in recent weeks.

She said authorities needed to take “a multifaceted approach” to educating and informing drivers to promote safety along tourist hot spots.

Following a number of fatal collisions in December, the Victorian government launched an educational campaign targeting international drivers using bilingual videos, digital advertising, social media and promotional materials within hire vehicles.

The program is modelled on the successful New Zealand international driver safety project and supported by the major vehicle rental companies.

Driver on the wrong side of the road on The Esplanade, Torquay.

But, Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said the “shocking” video clip showed more needed to be done.

“Just this week I raised this issue in federal Parliament calling on the Victorian Government to implement a better education regimen for international drivers,” Ms Henderson said.

“To see further evidence of these incidents happening just reinforces my resolve. Daniel Andrews must take urgent action. Next time the drivers may not be so lucky.”

VicRoads is currently working with Great Ocean Road tourism groups on a tourism signage strategy.

Geelong tourism chief Roger Grant said the program was a step in the right direction that would be bolstered by technology improvements.

He said GPS technology in rental cars could play a major role in increasing driver education and safety — with mapping systems able to warn drivers, in their own language, of changed conditions and possibly road rules.

Anglesea police Leading Senior Constable Trevor Purcell urged drivers to remain vigilant and to report any erratic or illegal behaviour to police.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said car hire companies are meant to show foreign tourists an informative video when they arrive in the country and rent a car.

But there are claims some rental companies are not showing tourists the video.

“It’s something that should be played when they get their hire cars,” said Mr Ashton, who vowed to chase up the issue.

Mr Ashton said the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island and roads surrounding Victoria’s snow region all have a problem with people driving on the wrong side of the road.

“Driving can be very erratic … our highway patrol is always reporting on such cases,” he said.

Originally published as Torquay residents want more road signage for international drivers to maintain safety