Tara Murray
A fatal accident on the Old Calder Highway last week has reignited calls for the road to be upgraded.
On Wednesday night, a woman died and three people were seriously injured in a two-car collision near the Keilor Park Drive intersection about 5.15pm.
Investigators have been told a silver Mercedes van eastbound crossed the road and collided head on with a black SUV.
A 54-year-old woman who was driving the silver van sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
While it is unknown whether the road contribued to the accident, many people have voiced safety concerns about the thoroughfare.
Tony Bevan raised concerns with Brimbank council and VicRoads back in 2016. Lane designation signs and slippery when wet signs were installed following Mr Bevan airing his concerns.
“We tried to do something four or five years ago,” he said.
“It didn’t happen and it’s pretty sad someone died on that road.”
Mr Bevan and others said they have witnessed motorists driving on the wrong side of the road unaware of their error.
With no emergency lanes, there’s nowhere for drivers to take evasive action.
“People are turning from Keilor Park Drive onto the Old Calder and thinking there is an extra lane,“ he said.
“People the other way are going around a blind corner and there’s the potential for an accident.
“It’s a matter of time before there could be another accident.”
In the five years until December 31 2020, there were 17 reported crashes that resulted in injury between Keilor Park Drive and Jackman Crescent. Of those, 11 resulted in serious injury and there was one fatality.
In a letter to Brimbank council in January 2017, VicRoads regional director Vince Punaro said no vehicles had been observed travelling in the wrong lane.
Brimbank mayor Ranka Rasic said the council most recently raised concerns late last year.
“Council has been raising safety concerns about Old Calder Highway with the Department of Transport for some years now, and we will continue to push for these to be addressed.
“Council officers last approached Department of Transport in late 2020, requesting traffic management measures be considered along Old Calder Highway between Bonfield Street and Keilor Park Drive.
“Earlier still, Council had written to VicRoads (now Department of Transport) in December 2016. Council officers will continue to follow up with the Department of Transport with regards to the previous advice and to request that road safety be further investigated and treatments implemented to address the safety issues.“
A Department of Transport spokesperson said the department continuously explores ways to make all roads safer, including the Old Calder Highway.
“We will continue working with our road safety partners, including Brimbank City Council and Victoria Police, to explore ways to make the road network safer for everyone.
“As more vehicles return to the network and following a tragic week on our roads, we urge everyone to drive safely.“
