Country Victoria’s most dangerous roads

The roads with the most safety issues in regional Victoria have been revealed – and motorists have pointed out one common risk factor.

Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull at the Princes Highway between Stratford and Bairnsdale.

Dangerous drivers are the biggest safety issue on Victorian country roads, according to the state’s peak motoring body.

The RACV My Country Road survey asked 4000 people to give feedback on which of the state’s roads need urgent improvements.

The Princes Highway from Stratford to Bairnsdale in the East Gippsland area received the most responses, followed by The Deans Marsh-Lorne Road in Benwerrin, Surf Coast.

The Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock in the Yarra Ranges had the third highest number of responses.

But it was dangerous driver behaviour that was put forward as the biggest risk factor by survey participants.

And 61 per cent said speed limits should be reduced for roads they identified or had been chosen by the RACV.

The section of the Princes Highway, between Bairnsdale and Stratford, was named the road most in-need of improvements.

With 48 per cent nominating locations where they think limits above 90km/h should be reduced to 80km/h or below.

The RACV’s executive general manager of motoring and mobility, Phil Turnbull, said road safety was everyone’s responsibility.

“All road users must drive in a safe manner, whether it’s driving at safe speeds, avoiding distractions or taking a break if we are fatigued,” he said.

“We also have a rare opportunity to consider reduced the suitability of current speed limits while regional roads are quieter with Melbourne in lockdown.”

The Deans Marsh-Lorne Road was identified as a dangerous road. Picture: Alan Barber

Pot holes, narrow lanes, limited overtaking opportunities and intersection problems were among the top issues affecting the safety of roads, according to the survey.

Victoria Walks Executive Officer Dr Ben Rossiter said Australian speed limits were “very high” compared with overseas.

“Historic improvements in road safety came off the back of visionary leadership that brought in compulsory seat belts, drink driving laws and road safety cameras, further action on speed will be the key to saving lives,” he said.

Solutions to increase safety including road maintenance, wider lanes and upgraded bicycle infrastructure will be presented to the state government by RACV.

A government spokeswoman said Victoria’s new Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan was delivering policy and infrastructure to address the “root of road trauma”.

“Through new technology and infrastructure and huge road maintenance blitzes, we upgrade thousands of kilometres of road across the state each year to keep motorists safe – with more than 1,000 individual projects to be completed in the next 12 months alone,” she said.

Shadow Roads Minister Louise Staley said: “Country motorists, whether in cars or moving vital freight, need good, safe roads and the RACV My Country Road Survey is more evidence Labor is not delivering.”