A survey completed by RACV has revealed that poor road surface conditions has now overtaken dangerous driver behaviour as the top safety concern for motorists.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South and Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Danny O’Brien said the My Country Road survey, which had over 7000 respondents, also listed a number of Gippsland roads among the top 20 with safety concerns.
“The Bass Highway to Leongatha along with the Princes Highway between Stratford and Bairnsdale, the Great Alpine Road and Phillip Island Road have all been named among the most reported roads,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I’m sure it will come as no surprise to anyone who has travelled on Gippsland roads recently that the safety issues reported include potholes, poor road condition, limited overtaking opportunities and intersection safety issues.”
Mr O’Brien said the survey results highlight the need for immediate action to address road safety issues across Gippsland.
“Successive years of cuts to the road maintenance budget under a State Labor Government have left our roads in a dire state and this year’s budget ensures they won’t get better.
“Labor is allowing our regional roads to crumble while it wastes billions of dollars in cost over-runs on city mega-projects.”
Key findings in the My Country Road survey include:
- 64 per cent of Victorian motorists cite potholes and poor road conditions as their primary safety concern, up from 46 per cent three years ago
- More than 300 collisions have been recorded on the top five worst roads in the past decade
- 60 per cent believe improving road surfaces should be the priority for safety solutions.
With maintenance funding slashed and speed limits reduced on numerous roads due to poor conditions, the RACV is urging the government to prioritise road improvements and invest in critical infrastructure upgrades.
Mr O’Brien said it was clear that Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage our roads and Gippsland road users are paying the price.