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Road Safety Workshops Attract 120 Residents

Road safety issues important in the Bass Coast area are brought to attention

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 5th March 2002 - Back to News

Almost 120 Bass Coast residents attended Road Safety Workshops held earlier this week. The workshops were an opportunity for local people to discuss the road safety issues they felt were the most important in their area, and how they might be addressed

Cr Miranda Sage, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council, explained that the issues raised at the workshops will be used by Council to develop a Road Safety Plan for the Shire.

The workshop in Cowes on Tuesday evening attracted approximately 70 local residents. The workshop in Wonthaggi on Wednesday evening attracted approximately 50 people.

The workshops focused on road safety issues that are specific to Bass Coast and how these could be addressed. There was much discussion about the impact of special events and tourist traffic, as well as problems specific to rural and coastal areas.

Some of the main issues and ideas raised were:
· Lower speed zones particularly on Phillip Island and in areas where traffic and pedestrians share pavement
· More pedestrian crossings
· 40km/h speed limits in school areas
· Roles and responsibilities of pedestrians, drivers and other road users in shopping areas
· Effect that road conditions and vehicle speed have on crash severity
· Need for increased road funding, particularly from fuel tax
· High proportion of crash sites are on VicRoads controlled main roads and highways
· Young children and elderly require particular attention when creating road safety plan

"The workshops identified issues that need to be addressed, as well as focussing on the actions Council and the community could take to reduce accidents in the Shire," said Cr Sage.

A draft of the road safety strategy will be prepared and made available for public comment in April.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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