5,000 Victorians name safety concerns on Melbourne's roads

RACV

Posted July 20, 2023


cyclist on road

Cyclists were able to highlight unsafe roads and intersections in the survey. Image: Getty


Road and intersection safety

Moonee Valley’s Mount Alexander Road –where it meets with Keilor Road –received the most responses for safety concerns in both the road and intersection categories. Dandenong Road running through Windsor, Prahran and Caulfield received the second highest number of responses, followed in third place by Sydney Road in Brunswick and Coburg.

Pedestrian and cycling safety

RACV Head of Policy James Williams highlighted the most vulnerable road users – cyclists and pedestrians – were the most highly represented in the feedback.

“Of the 5,000 safety concerns raised by participants, intersection safety was the area of greatest concern, followed by unsafe behaviours of other drivers, such as speeding and erratic driving,” Mr Williams said.

“One-third of participants also identified that a lower speed limit on their nominated road would improve safety.”

Notably, four of the roads and intersections with the most number of responses identified by participants had pedestrian or cyclist related safety issues as a primary concern.

“Pedestrian traffic lights where they are most needed, traffic calming infrastructure and protected cycling lanes were commonly identified as potential solutions in the feedback from cyclists and pedestrians,” Mr Williams said.

Other solutions identified included resurfacing potholes, intersection design, improving lighting and ensuring speed limits are fit for purpose.

Driver behaviour

“The survey results suggest that unsafe driving was heightened in congested traffic. These findings are a reminder that investment in road infrastructure is critical to improving safety and that motorists also need to drive safely and to the traffic conditions,” Mr Williams said. 

“Whether it’s driving at a safe speed, keeping a safe distance or not using a portable device while driving, we can all do our part to make our roads safer.”

RACV will share the My Melbourne Road survey results with governments and advocate for improvements to the roads identified by participants.

10 roads with the most number of responses in Melbourne

10 roads with the most number of responses in Melbourne

Roads

Suburbs

1

Mount Alexander Road

Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale

2

Dandenong Road

Windsor, Prahran, Caulfield

3

Sydney Road

Brunswick, Coburg

4

North Road

McKinnon, Oakleigh, Clayton

5

Calder Freeway

Keilor Park, Keilor, Taylors Lakes

6

Clyde Road / Berwick-Cranbourne Road

Berwick, Clyde

7

Point Cook Road

Point Cook, Seabrook

8

St Kilda Road

Melbourne

9

Barkly Street / Hopkins Street

Footscray

10

Western Freeway

Melton, Rockbank

10 intersections with the most number of responses in Melbourne

10 intersections with the most number of responses in Melbourne

Roads

Suburbs

1

Mount Alexander Road / Keilor Road

Essendon

2

Princes Freeway / Geelong Road Exit

Werribee

3

Wellington Road / Dorning Road

Narre Warren East

4

Bay Street / Liardet Road

Port Melbourne

5

Twickenham Crescent / Loyola Grove

Richmond

6

Racecourse Road / Flemington Road

North Melbourne

7

Point Cook Road / Sneydes Road

Point Cook

8

Flemington Road / Royal Parade

North Melbourne

9

Lorimer Street / Wurundjeri Way

Docklands

10

Williamstown Road / Beacon Road

Port Melbourne

cars on busy road

Sydney Road in Brunswick and Coburg was identified as a road of concern in the survey. Image: Getty


Get a copy of the RACV My Melbourne Road survey results. 
Download here →