Lane change

By Lilly O’Gorman
Naples Way resident Barrie Brown was behind the six-month long lobby for a permanent 40km/h speed limit on The Avenue.
He said motorists continued to race down the road, which passes the St Patrick’s Primary School entrance.
“Sometimes there are nine cars banked up in the left lane, and four in the right, waiting to turn into the gate.
“People are travelling with children in the car and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hit.”
And it isn’t only school children that are in danger.
Mr Brown recalls two car crashes on the road – one in February and another about two years ago when a speeding car ploughed through the barrier at the bend and into the wall of a house.
Leading Senior Constable Peter Henderson from Cardinia Highway Patrol said marked and unmarked police cars would continue to bust speedsters along The Avenue.
“We have issued several speeding infringements this month using the laser and radar, during morning and afternoon school times,” Sen Const Henderson said.
“It is only a short 40 zone stretch, but people need to stick to 40km/h for the safety of children.”
Mr Brown has approached Cardinia Council with requests for a ‘No right turn’ sign for cars leaving the school grounds, which has also been supported by St Patrick’s Primary School Principal Mick O’Brien.
“Children’s lives are at risk as well as pedestrians, however it seems that Cardinia Council is not duly concerned,” Mr Brown said.
“It is the same every day around school times. Traffic should not be able to turn right out of the gate.”
Cardinia Shire Council spokesperson Paul Dunlop said there were no casualty accidents recorded in the VicRoads CrashStats database on The Avenue for the five year period 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005.
Mr Dunlop said the Shire is in the process of collecting traffic count data for the road, but because no casualties have been recorded council would not be taking further action.
“Given the VicRoads CrashStats history at the site for the past five years, along with the existing lane configuration and the reduced speed zone, no further action is warranted at this point in time,” Cardinia Council spokesperson Paul Dunlop said.
“Council advises that motorists should be particularly vigilant when driving past schools during the busier drop-off and pick-up times.”
But Mr Brown said this wasn’t good enough, suggesting the council erect signs warning “Dangerous bend” or “School zone” at least.
“It is an accident, a disaster, waiting to happen,” Mr Brown said.